TOMS RIVER, N.J. — A Jackson Township man has been indicted for murder, attempted murder, and multiple weapons offenses stemming from a deadly stabbing incident in May, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Wednesday.
Steven McNeill, 32, was indicted by an Ocean County Grand Jury on July 30 for charges including murder, attempted murder, two counts each of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, being a certain person not to possess a weapon, and eluding.
The charges are tied to a May 9 altercation at a residence on Adams Avenue in Toms River. Around 7:20 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call made by an off-duty Seaside Park police officer who witnessed the disturbance. When officers arrived, they found 34-year-old Raniek Mendez of Brick Township with a stab wound to the chest. Mendez was transported to Community Medical Center, where he later died.
Detectives also discovered evidence of a firearm having been discharged, recovering a single shell casing at the scene. A second victim, identified as 30-year-old Roderick Seward of Toms River, was also stabbed during the incident and was taken to Ocean University Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Further investigation determined that McNeill had fled the scene in a vehicle, which was later located in Jackson Township. Police attempted a traffic stop, but McNeill initially failed to comply before eventually stopping and being taken into custody without further incident.
Seward was also indicted on July 30 in connection with the same incident. He faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, being a certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of less than one half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of cocaine.
McNeill remains held at the Ocean County Jail pending trial.
