Judge Orders Closure Of Pittsburgh-Area Club

NEW KENSINGTON, PA — A Westmoreland County judge has ordered the closure of the Elks Loge on Third Avenue for one year because of various violent incidents there - including a shooting death last year.

The judge granted the injunction of Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, whose office announced the closure on Thursday.

The District Attorney's Office contended the Elks Lodge was a nuisance and failed to abide by the conditional licensing agreement with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

As a result, it created an environment that fostered criminal and disruptive behavior in the community.

The District Attorney's Office filed the injunction following the shooting death of Jeffrey Ballard, 46, a bouncer at the lodge, in December 2025.

A witness who was outside of the lodge told authorities he saw Ballard and other man assaulting another man in the club's parking lot.

The witness said he saw the man with Ballard pull a gun from his sock and began striking the other man in the head with it. The weapon discharged, and a bullet struck Ballard in the leg.

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

Police identified the shooter as the victim's brother, Steffon Ballard. He has been charged with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault, and possession of firearm prohibited.