Story by Ethan
On May 10th, 2025, the arrest of Steven McNeill, age 32, was announced by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Steven McNeill was charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Eluding. The arrest and charges against Steven McNeill were a result of an investigation launched by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, at approximately 7:20 a.m. on May 9th, 2025, a 911 call was made reporting an altercation at a residence on Adams Avenue. Responding officers located a male victim with a stab wound to the chest who was later identified as 34-year old Raniek Mendez of Brick Township, New Jersey. Raniek Mendez was swiftly transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey, where he ultimately passed away due to his injuries. A second victim at the residence was found and identified to be 30-year old Roderick Seward of Toms River, New Jersey. Roderick Seward was transported to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township, New Jersey where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. It was later revealed that at approximately 5:50 a.m. local officers responded to calls reporting an altercation between Steven McNeill and Roderick Seward at the residence on Adams Avenue where the stabbings later occurred. Officers initially cleared the area as Steven McNeill left the premises. The vehicle used to flee from the scene after the stabbings was identified and located in Jackson Township, New Jersey. A motor vehicle stop was executed, and the driver was revealed to be Steven McNeill who was swiftly brought into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Steven McNeill are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
