Harford County Fourth Of July Gang Slaying: Jury Hands Down Verdict

BEL AIR, MD — A Harford County man has been convicted of murder in a gang-related shooting that resulted in the death of an Edgewood teen in 2019, according to prosecutors.

Rahzir Meyers, 20, of Hidden Brook Court in Abingdon, was found guilty of 11 crimes, including first-degree murder, after a two-week trial in Harford County.

The deadly shooting happened outside on the Fourth of July 2019, as community members including children and adults were out celebrating the event in Edgewood.

Khalil Johnson, 15, of Edgewood, was shot in the back, and the bullet went through his chest, according to prosecutors. Officials said the gunman was standing on Brookside Drive.

The victim ran toward a home in the 1900 block of Eloise Lane, where authorities reported he later collapsed. Deputies called to a shooting at 12:19 a.m. said they found the teen inside a home. He was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he died from his injuries.

Investigators determined the shooting was gang related through tips, including those from anonymous witnesses; Meyers was a member of the 400 Bloods gang, which was in a feud with the local subset of the Crips, according to prosecutors.

“Rahzir Meyers showed a shocking indifference to human life by carrying out this brutal gang murder in front of his entire community,” Harford County State's Attorney Albert J. Peisinger Jr. said in a statement. "It is my hope that this verdict brings a measure of justice to the family of the victim of this callous and senseless act.”

At the crime scene, investigators found firearm casings and a laser gun attachment, according to prosecutors, who reported Meyers' DNA was on the laser gun attachment.

Peisinger thanked the Harford County Sheriff's Office and first responders who helped provide aid at the scene and in the ensuing investigation. He also issued gratitude for the jurors, who spent more than 10 days at trial.

The trial began Sept. 15, and the jurors issued their verdict Oct. 1, according to court records, which show they found Meyers guilty of these charges:

• First-degree murder
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree murder
• Second-degree murder
• First-degree assault
• Second-degree assault
• Using a firearm in a felony crime
• Reckless endangerment
• Having a handgun on his person
• Possession of a firearm as a minor
• Participating in a criminal gang resulting in death
• Participating in a death as part of a gang conspiracy

Peisinger commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Erin Smith and Toi Mason for their work on a case he described as complex, pledging to "use all available tools to disrupt and dismantle violent street gangs that threaten our communities, including using the highly challenging Maryland Gang Statutes to hold violent offenders accountable."

Gang convictions are extremely rare, according to Deputy State’s Attorney Gavin M. Patashnick.

Under the gang statute in Maryland, prosecutors had to prove Meyers was in a gang that was involved in a pattern of criminal activity; that he knowingly participated in the crimes; that the death of Johnson was tied to, at the direction of or somehow benefitted the gang; and that as a result of the criminal activity, Johnson died.

Judge M. Elizabeth Bowen will sentence Meyers at a time to be determined.

See Also:

• 15-Year-Old Boy Killed In Edgewood Shooting: Harford Sheriff
• Vigil Held For Edgewood Teen Shot, Killed In July 4 Homicide
• Harford Sheriff Makes Arrest In Murder Of Edgewood Teen