Nigel Pearson was sentenced to life in prison plus 138 years suspending all but 60 to serve, with the last 20 years to be served without the possibility of parole – well over Maryland Sentencing Guidelines – which called for a sentence of 25 years with 50 to serve.
Prosecutors “argued for the upward deviation from the guidelines, citing the permanent injury to the victim and highlight the negative effect brazen shootings such as this one have in Harford County.”
According to the state’s attorney’s office, Pearson was a member of the “Rollin’ 20’s” gang who targeted members of the “Choppa Boys” gang on Stevens Circle in Aberdeen with the intent to shoot and kill them after their rivals posted a rap video on YouTube days earlier.
Pearson and others “mercilessly shot at a group of four teenage victims who were actively changing a tire in the parking lot, an then drove away,” prosecutors added.
Two of the four were struck by bullets, one in the chest and one in the head.
Both survived.
Pearson then drove his vehicle to a secluded location in Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania, where he torched the vehicle used during the shooting.