On the evening of February 17, 2024, 33-year-old Miguel Steven Dalmasi of Alburtis, Pennsylvania, was fatally shot while attending a family gathering in Allentown. The incident occurred around 7:48 p.m. near the intersection of East Walnut and South Dauphin streets, where a birthday party for a 1-year-old child was being held at the East Side Fire Social Hall. Dalmasi, a relative of the child, was present with his family to celebrate the occasion.
According to reports, a group of uninvited individuals, described as wearing ski masks and hooded sweatshirts, arrived outside the social hall during the party. A dispute ensued between the uninvited group and attendees of the party. Dalmasi stepped outside to address the situation, attempting to mediate the conflict. During the altercation, one member of the uninvited group produced a firearm and fired multiple shots, striking Dalmasi several times in the upper torso. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Emergency responders arrived promptly, but Dalmasi succumbed to his injuries at the scene. An autopsy later confirmed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide.
In the months following the incident, an intensive investigation was conducted by the Allentown Police Department, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. On July 8, 2024, authorities arrested 25-year-old Roberto Gonzalez of Allentown in connection with Dalmasi's death. Gonzalez was charged with criminal homicide, possession of a firearm prohibited, and recklessly endangering another person. Investigators identified Gonzalez as the shooter through witness testimonies and surveillance footage. A search of his residence revealed clothing matching descriptions from the night of the shooting and ammunition consistent with the shell casings recovered at the crime scene. Gonzalez was arraigned and remanded to Lehigh County Jail without bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 15, 2024.
Dalmasi's death was a profound loss to his family and community. He was remembered as a devoted father to two young sons and a stepdaughter. Loved ones described him as "the light in a dark room," with a unique personality and a strong commitment to his family. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses, reflecting the community's support and the impact of his untimely passing.
