TOMS RIVER, NJ – An armed standoff between police and an alleged fugitive murder suspect wanted for killing a 25-year-old mother in cold blood and broad daylight last week is continuing in Toms River.
Agents from the U.S. Marshals Service were joined by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and Toms River Police Department in the East Dover section of Toms River as a gunman, wanted for killing 25-year-old mother Gabriella Caroleo in cold blood on a Manchester street last week.
On the day of the incident, at approximately 4:55 PM, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a gunshot victim near Ridgeway Road and Hope Chapel Road. Upon arrival, they found Ms. Caroleo with a gunshot wound to her stomach. She was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she later died from her injuries.
On Thursday, police identified the gunman as Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester, as the suspect in that shooting and advised the public that there was no known threat to the community.
That changed on Friday when Johnston reportedly fired at police from a home on Ravenwood Drive in Toms River, leading police to evacuate the neighborhood. Police, reportedly executing a warrant for Johnston’s arrest, were met with gunfire as he barricaded himself inside the home, according to neighbors who wished to remain anonymous.
While that information has not been confirmed officially. police did acknowledge their standoff with Johnston Friday evening.
“There are currently multiple law-enforcement agencies and first responders in the area of Ravenwood Drive in Toms River for an active shooter situation . All residents in the immediate area have been evacuated and law-enforcement personnel have the suspect contained at this time. We’re asking people to avoid the area and pray for the safety of all on the scene,” said Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little in a statement.
Police have not confirmed the reports of exchanged gunfire at this time. They have also not confirmed that their standoff was with Johnston.
The incident came just days after the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office declared no known public threat by Johnston.
“This incident is currently under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit; there is no known danger to the public at this time,” stated Prosecutor Billhimer. “Additional information will be released when it becomes available,” Prosecutor Billhimer said after the murder.
