Gang Member Convicted In Rivalry Shooting That Injured 2 Teens: Harford County Prosecutor

BERDEEN, Md. — A 22-year-old Aberdeen man has been convicted in connection to a shooting that happened in November 2022 in a rivalry between two gangs called the “Rollin’ 20’s” and “Choppa Boys.”

According to the prosecution, one gang posted a rap video on YouTube just a few days before the shooting, which offended the other gang. On Nov. 16, 2022, Nigel Isaiah Pearson and other members of the “Rollin’ 20’s” drove two separate vehicles with the intention of confronting the “Choppa Boys” at the Cranberry Run Apartments Stevens Circle.

Pearson and his group found four teenagers changing a tire in a parking lot and shot at them, hitting one in the chest and one in the head. Both survived. Pearson then drove his vehicle to a wooded location in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, and set the vehicle on fire. The burned vehicle was later found by Pennsylvania State Police and an investigation was launched.

After a six-day bench trial with 21 witnesses testifying, Pearson was convicted of two counts of attempted first-degree murder, four counts of first-degree assault, four counts of use of a firearm in a crime of violence, four counts of reckless endangerment, one count of handgun in vehicle, one count of loaded handgun in vehicle, one count of handgun on person and one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a minor. He will be sentenced Oct. 26.

"Gang activity producers some of the most violent cases we see as prosecutors. This defendant, having no regard for the lives of others, made a conscious decision to take and endanger the lives of other human beings for no reason other than his gang affiliation," said Harford County State’s Attorney Healey. "We will relentlessly pursue justice in cases such as this one to deter others from engaging in similar conduct. Our community is safer with Nigel Pearson behind bars. My office will seek to ensure that he is never a danger to our citizens again. I commend the victim for her bravery in testifying during the trial and for all that she has had to overcome as a result of this defendant's actions."