On July 24, 2023, at approximately 9:47 p.m., Harrisburg Police responded to reports of shots fired near South 20th and Zarker Streets. Upon arrival, they discovered a red Mazda CX5 on the 2400 block of Market Street, riddled with bullet holes. Inside, 26-year-old Richon Strain-Hankerson was found with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Strain-Hankerson had just entered the vehicle when he was ambushed by a group of ten individuals. Surveillance footage showed the group approaching from North 20th Street, converging on the Mazda, and four members opening fire before fleeing eastward.
Authorities identified and charged four suspects: 21-year-old Juan Arvelo, 18-year-old Ceniah Simmons, 17-year-old Krisshon Giles, and 15-year-old Akai Eubanks-Burnett. All face charges including murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Simmons also faces charges for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
This tragedy is compounded by the fact that Strain-Hankerson's younger brother, Jacoby, was fatally shot in March 2022. Authorities have stated that the two incidents are not related.
