Steffon Ballard, the Arnold man accused of shooting his brother outside the Elks Lodge in New Kensington last weekend, turned himself in to authorities Thursday morning.
Ballard, 38, is charged with homicide, attempted homicide, illegal possession of a firearm and aggravated assault in the death of Jeffrey Ballard, 46, who served as a bouncer at the lodge. District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. denied Ballard bail because the case involves homicide charges. Ballard remains in the Westmoreland County jail.
The Ballard brothers were involved in an altercation with another man outside the Elks just before 3 a.m. Saturday when Steffon Ballard began pistol-whipping the man, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case.
As he struck the man, his handgun discharged and a bullet hit Jeffrey Ballard in the upper thigh, the complaint said. Steffon Ballard and the other man then fled, according to a release from Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli.
Jeffrey Ballard bled to death. He was pronounced dead at Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison just before 4:30 a.m., according to the complaint.
It’s unclear what started the altercation between the man and the brothers.
As Steffon Ballard was escorted out of the district judge’s office by Westmoreland County sheriff’s deputies Thursday, his only comment was that he loves his nieces.
His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 8 in Pallone’s courtroom.
