Steven wasn't just your typical 36 year old man. He was a husband to his beautiful wife Ali for 7 years, a father to his 3 gorgeous children, a son, a sniper in the Army Special Forces, and a man who has earned 2 purple hearts.

About Steve and Ali's life together (words from the newspaper article): The couple began dating eight years ago after meeting in Okinawa, Japan, where Steve was stationed. He was a Green Beret, part of an elite military special operations unit.

Alison described her husband as gregarious and easy to talk to — the daredevil was always doing some sort of crazy stunt, whether diving, rock climbing or jumping from an airplane.

Their relationship was just “fun,” Alison said, including when they eloped in Thailand. The couple played with baby tigers and rode elephants on their wedding day.

Steve, who retired from the military as a staff sergeant, was on a constant deployment cycle. He received two Purple Hearts — medals presented to service members killed or wounded as a result of enemy action — by the time he left in 2015, Alison said.

Alison and Steve moved near Baltimore after leaving Japan, where Steve took a job as a firefighter.

“He is so committed to service,” she said, still speaking of Steve at times in the present tense. “After leaving the Army, he just wanted to keep feeling that sense of purpose to others.”

Steve loved the life-saving aspect of firefighting, being able to show up for people in their darkest hour. He had this heroism about him, Alison said.

The family moved to the Charleston area in 2019. A severe knee injury prevented Steve from working too strenuous a job, and he found work last year at Coastal Firearms.

The horror: Steve was shot and killed on November 2, 2021 by the gun shop owner in the gun store where he worked. Alison and Steves children were 4 years old and 4 months old. He left behind his 3 children, wife, and family.

Alison is now a widow, who needs financial help in any way possible. She has now PCSed to another state for she is in the military.