El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en marzo 10, 2026, aproximadamente a 5:00 soy., Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to a residence on Fairwood Drive for a report of shots fired. Responding Officers observed a male entering the residence. Officers heard additional gunfire from inside the residence. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team made entry into the residence. Upon entry, Officers observed two victims deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were later identified as the homeowners, Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60. Also located at the residence were three unharmed minor children. As Officers continued to clear the residence, they discovered a male, later identified as Vaughn Stewart, 37, of Maplewood, con una aparente herida de bala autoinfligida en la cabeza. Stewart was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River where he was eventually pronounced deceased. Several Officers on the scene began to broaden the perimeter of their investigation; como resultado, Officers discovered multiple shell casings, and located a third victim, identified as Deonna Stewart, 38, del municipio de Berkeley, aproximadamente 50 yards from the residence on the side of Fairwood Drive.
Una investigación de la Unidad de Delitos Mayores de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Berkeley, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, revealed that Deonna Stewart resided at the Fairwood Drive residence with her parents, Señor. y la señora. Russell, and three children. Vaughn Stewart and Deonna Stewart were the parents of three children and had been living separately. Further investigation revealed that Vaughn Stewart entered the residence and shot Mr. y la señora. Russell. Vaughn Stewart then chased Deonna Stewart down the street, fired multiple shots, and killed Ms. Stewart. Vaughn Stewart subsequently re-entered the residence and turned the gun on himself. The minor children are currently in the care of the Department of Child Protection and Permanency.
El Fiscal Billhimer elogia a la Unidad de Delitos Mayores de la Fiscalía del Condado de Ocean, Departamento de policía del municipio de Berkeley, Equipo SWAT regional del condado de Ocean, y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Ocean, por sus esfuerzos combinados y colectivos en relación con esta investigación.