UPDATE 12/11/2025:

Steffon Ballard is in custody. 

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New Kensington, PA – Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli announces homicide charges have been filed against a New Kensington man after a shooting over the weekend in the city of New Kensington.

New Kensington Police were called to the Elks Lodge on 3rd Avenue just before 3 a.m. on Saturday for a reported shooting.

Upon arrival on scene, officers encountered Jeffrey Ballard, 46, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg while several Samaritans were attempting to administer lifesaving efforts.

Ballard was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Westmoreland County Detectives were called to assist New Kensington Police in the early morning hours of December 6, 2025, and began conducting interviews at the Elks Lodge.

Witnesses told investigators an altercation occurred inside of the bar between two men. One of the men was escorted out of the bar and moments later, shots were fired outside of the establishment.

A search warrant was executed on the lodge’s surveillance video and was reviewed by detectives.

Another witness, who was outside when the altercation occurred, observed a larger male with dreadlocks and the lodge’s bouncer assaulting another man in the parking lot area beside the club, according to investigators.

Police said the witness saw the male with dreadlocks pull a handgun from his sock and began striking the male in the head with the firearm.

While the male with the dreadlocks was striking the male on the ground, the witness told police the firearm discharged and struck the bouncer, Jeffrey Ballard, in the leg.

The assault subsequently ended and the parties outside dispersed.

Ballard died due to exsanguination due to a gunshot wound to the upper left thigh and his death was ruled a homicide.

Detectives reviewed surveillance video from the interior and exterior of the Elks Lodge which corroborated the witness and victim’s accounts provided to investigators.

The male described with dreadlocks involved in the altercation and assault was identified as Steffon Ballard, brother of Jeffrey Ballard.

Steffon Ballard, 38, has been charged with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of firearm prohibited.

Ballard was taken into custody on Thursday after turning himself into authorities. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.