MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: June 10, 2022
RE: Rahzir Meyers sentenced in Gang Murder Conviction
(Bel Air, Maryland) – Albert J. Peisinger, Jr., State’s Attorney for Harford County, has announced the sentencing of Rahzir Meyers, 21, from Edgewood, Maryland, for murder in the first degree, gang and firearm offenses.
On July 4, 2019 at 12:19 a.m., Harford County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to 1942 Eloise Lane in Edgewood, Maryland for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies and EMS learned that Khalil Johnson had been shot in the back and that the bullet exited through his chest. Johnson was transported to University of Maryland, Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where, despite life saving measures, he succumbed from his injuries.
An investigation, which involved several tips including anonymous witnesses, revealed that Rahzir Meyers was a member of the 400 Tree Top Piru gang which was in a feud with a local subset of the Crips gang. Witnesses stated that at the time of the murder, Rahzir Meyers stood on Brookside Drive and fired a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and victim Khalil Johnson. Further, video surveillance captured by Harford County Watch Surveillance cameras showed several individuals standing on Brookside Drive with at least one suspect firing a handgun in the direction of Eloise Lane and the victim Khalil Johnson. The video also shows Johnson running from the scene in the direction of 1942 Eloise Lane where he later collapsed. Multiple firearm casings were recovered from the area where the suspects were standing as well as a laser gun attachment. It was later determined that Rahzir Meyers’ DNA was on the gun attachment.
Witnesses also stated that there was a group of people hanging out in the area most of the late afternoon and evening hours of July 3rd through early hours of July 4th. The group included children, adults and others from the neighborhood who were out celebrating when the shooting occurred.
Following a two-week jury trial before the Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen, a jury ultimately found Mr. Meyers guilty of murder in the first degree, participating in a criminal organization in the commission of a crime that results in death as well as a multitude of firearm offenses. After listening to victim impact statements from Kahlil Johnson’s family and friends, Judge Bowen sentenced him to life in prison with an additional 45 years which will all be served in the Division of Corrections.
“As this complex prosecution and today’s sentence shows, we will use every tool and every resource at our disposal to eradicate brutal and senseless acts of gang violence and hold offenders accountable through lengthy prison sentences,” said Mr. Peisinger. “My heart goes out to Khalil Johnson’s family and I hope this conviction and sentence brings some closure to them.”
Mr. Peisinger further thanked Judge Bowen and the jurors who deliberated the case. He also praised the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, as well as all other first responders for their efforts in rendering aid at the scene and for the extensive investigation that resulted in the conviction and sentence of Mr. Meyers. Additionally, he commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Erin Smith and Toi Mason for their incredible advocacy in this highly intricate case.