Father of 3 killed in 'tense argument' outside family BBQ, bystander shot

A man from Pennsylvania is facing a lengthy prison term for the shooting and killing of a bystander during a family gathering.

In October 2025, 31-year-old Steffen Tidwell was found guilty by a Lancaster County jury of voluntary manslaughter and firing a weapon, resulting in the death of 26-year-old Jomar Almestica.

On Thursday, Tidwell received a sentence from Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas Judge Dennis Reinaker, amounting to eight to 20 years in state prison along with an $8,000 restitution fee.

The incident took place on August 20, 2021, outside a party on Hebrank Street in Lancaster – a mid-sized city located about 80 miles west of Philadelphia.

Around 10 p.m. that evening, the family barbecue descended into what prosecutors described as "a deadly altercation" following a "heated argument" involving Tidwell with another person, stated in a press release by the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.

Tidwell retrieved a handgun from his car, aimed it at Almestica, and fired it five times.

The Lancaster City Police arrived at the scene around 10:15pm and brought the victim to a nearby hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

"There's no justification for what occurred," Assistant District Attorney Jessica Collo, who led the prosecution, stated. "He escalated the situation unnecessarily. That much is clear."

There are differing accounts of what happened that night.

Prosecutors stated that Almestica was uninvolved in the conflict, simply sitting or standing on the porch or steps of a nearby home when the violence erupted, according to reports from the Daily Voice and Lancaster Online.

The defendant argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming he suspected Almestica was reaching for a weapon during the incident. 

The state rebutted this by confirming the victim was not part of the dispute and showing no evidence of him having a gun.

Ultimately, the jury settled on a compromise verdict, rejecting more severe charges of first and third-degree murder – which could have led to life imprisonment without parole or sentences ranging from 20-40 years.

He apologized to the victim's family, seeking forgiveness, and referred to Almestica as a "precious life," as reported by the prosecutor's office. 

Tidwell accepted accountability for his actions, admitting while he was regretful about what happened, he had changed during his four and a half years in pretrial detention and intended to use his time in prison for self-improvement.

"I apologize for the pain and trauma I’ve caused," Tidwell addressed the family. "This burden will stay with me for life."

The prosecutor, however, wanted to challenge the defendant’s expression of remorse and talk of personal growth.

"What is justice if it comes at the expense of another man's life?" Collo told the court.

The victim’s family was present at the sentencing hearing to express their views.

In a letter shared in court by Almestica's mother, Collo read about the profound "pain and emptiness" her son's passing had left in her life. Almestica, she described, was "a kind, modest, and simple young man" who enjoyed fishing and buying gifts for his children. Post-shooting, she emphasised, his children will grow up fatherless.

"He was a caring son," noted another family member in court. "He was a father who made a difference."

Almestica was the father of three and a budding musician who went by the stage name "J-Easy LP."