El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer announced on May 9, 2025, Steven McNeill, 32, del municipio de Jackson, fue acusado de asesinato, Tentativa de asesinato, Posesión de un arma para un fin ilícito, Posesión ilegal de un arma, ser una persona determinada para no poseer un arma, and Eluding, all in connection with a series of incidents that occurred in Toms River on May 9, 2025.
En mayo 9, 2025, aproximadamente a 7:20 soy. Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department responded to a 911 call in reference to a report of an altercation at a residence on Adams Avenue. The call was made by an off-duty Seaside Park Class II Police Officer who was leaving a nearby convenience store. Responding Officers discovered a male victim, later identified as Raniek Mendez, 34, del municipio de ladrillo, con una puñalada en el pecho. Señor. Mendez was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, donde finalmente sucumbió a sus heridas. Continuing investigation revealed that a second victim, later identified as Roderick Seward, 30, del río Toms, was also stabbed at the Adams Avenue residence. Señor. Seward was transported to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township by a family member for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Durante el transcurso de la investigación, it was learned that on that same date at approximately 5:50 soy., Toms River Township Police Officers responded to the same Adams Avenue residence in response to a 911 llamar. Responding Officers learned that McNeill and Seward had been involved in an altercation at the residence. McNeill left the residence, and responding Officers cleared the scene.
Una investigación posterior realizada por la Unidad de Delitos Mayores de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Toms River, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, led to the identification of a vehicle that fled the scene of the stabbings. Officers from the Toms River Police Department discovered the vehicle traveling in Jackson Township. Officers attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle, which initially refused to abide by the commands of law enforcement. The driver of that vehicle – later identified as McNeill – ultimately brought the vehicle to a stop; McNeill was thereafter taken into custody without incident.
Continuing investigation revealed that McNeill was the individual responsible for Mr. Mendez’s death, as well as the stabbing of Mr. Seward. McNeill was charged accordingly, y transportado a la cárcel del condado de Ocean, donde actualmente se encuentra alojado en espera de una audiencia de detención..
While executing a court-authorized search warrant at the Adams Avenue residence, Detectives located a back pack belonging to Seward. During a subsequent search of the backpack, Detectives seized an amount of Cocaine. As a result Seward was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Cocaine. Seward was served with the charges via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
“I would add that we have recovered a shell casing from the scene and have a witness report of hearing a single gunshot, but we have not recovered a weapon at this point in time. Esta investigación permanece activa y en curso.,”, afirmó el fiscal Billhimer..
El Fiscal Billhimer elogia a la Unidad de Delitos Mayores de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Toms River, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to McNeill’s swift apprehension.
Los cargos mencionados anteriormente son meras acusaciones y se recuerda a la prensa y al público que todos los acusados se presumen inocentes a menos y hasta que se demuestre su culpabilidad más allá de toda duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia..
RPC. 3.6(b)(6).