TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Jackson Township man has been charged with murder and several related offenses following a double stabbing Friday morning that left one man dead and another injured, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Steven McNeill, 32, was taken into custody Friday after allegedly stabbing two men at a residence on Adams Avenue in Toms River.
Raniek Mendez, 34, of Brick Township, died from a stab wound to the chest after being transported to Community Medical Center.
A second victim, Roderick Seward, 30, of Toms River, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Ocean University Medical Center by a family member.
The first report of an altercation came at approximately 5:50 a.m., when police responded to a 911 call involving McNeill and Seward. Officers cleared the scene after McNeill left. A second call at 7:20 a.m. led officers back to the same residence, where they discovered Mendez wounded. An off-duty Seaside Park Class II Police Officer had made the call after witnessing signs of the incident while leaving a nearby convenience store.
Authorities later located McNeill’s vehicle in Jackson Township. When police attempted a traffic stop, McNeill initially failed to comply but ultimately pulled over and was arrested without incident. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, multiple weapons offenses, and eluding police.
Investigation ongoing as charges filed against second individual
Investigators recovered a backpack belonging to Seward at the Adams Avenue residence while executing a search warrant. Inside, detectives found a quantity of cocaine, leading to additional charges against Seward for possession with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance. He was issued a summons and released pending a court appearance.
A shell casing was also recovered from the scene, and at least one witness reported hearing a gunshot, though no firearm has been found. “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,” Prosecutor Billhimer said in a statement.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit is leading the ongoing investigation with assistance from the Toms River Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
McNeill is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.