TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Jackson Township man has been charged with murder and attempted murder following a fatal stabbing early Friday morning in Toms River, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Steven McNeill, 32, is facing multiple charges after police responded to a 911 call around 7:20 a.m. on Adams Avenue. Officers discovered 34-year-old Raniek Mendez of Brick Township with a stab wound to the chest. Mendez was taken to Community Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators also determined that a second man, 30-year-old Roderick Seward of Toms River, had been stabbed during the same incident. Seward was transported by a family member to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities say that earlier the same morning, at approximately 5:50 a.m., officers had responded to the same address for a previous altercation involving McNeill and Seward. McNeill reportedly left the residence before officers cleared the scene.
A coordinated investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies identified a vehicle fleeing the location of the stabbings. Toms River officers located the vehicle in Jackson Township and attempted a traffic stop. After initially failing to comply, McNeill was eventually taken into custody without incident.
Second victim faces drug charges
Detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Adams Avenue residence and located a backpack belonging to Seward. A subsequent search of the bag uncovered a quantity of cocaine. Seward has been charged with possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine. He was served with a summons and is scheduled for future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer confirmed that investigators recovered a shell casing from the scene and received a witness report of a single gunshot, though no firearm has been recovered as of Saturday. “This investigation remains active and ongoing,” Billhimer said.
McNeill has been charged with murder, attempted murder, several weapons offenses, and eluding police. He is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.