Disturbing Shooting Incident Shakes Ocean County Neighborhood

Disturbing Shooting Incident Shakes Berkeley Township Neighborhood

Disturbing Shooting Incident Shakes Ocean County Neighborhood

A man from Berkeley Township has died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an attempt to kill his next-door neighbors during a shooting incident on Monday. The neighbors, a married couple, are currently in critical condition, according to authorities.

At approximately 4:45 p.m., the Berkeley Township Police received a report regarding two individuals who had been shot at a residence on Drake Drive, as stated by Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Upon arrival, officers discovered both a male and female victim, each suffering from gunshot wounds.

There is a documented history of disputes between the neighbors, as noted by the Berkeley police, Billhimer added.

Both individuals were transported via air to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where they are currently reported to be in critical yet stable condition, as stated by Billhimer. An inquiry conducted by the Major Crime Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Berkeley Township Police Department has determined that the victims were shot by their neighbor, John Adamo, aged 54. According to the prosecutor, Adamo fired at the man while he was outside his residence and subsequently shot into the house, hitting the woman.

Adamo subsequently withdrew to his residence, as stated by Billhimer. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, along with the Ocean County Regional SWAT-Crisis Negotiating Team, arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area around Adamo's home in an effort to persuade him to surrender.

After approximately two and a half hours, members of the SWAT Team entered the residence and discovered Adamo deceased in an upstairs bedroom, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"I have never heard a gunshot that loud," remarked a neighbor, identified only as Barbara.

Upon hearing the two gunshots, she assumed the man was targeting birds.

Barbara mentioned that she was acquainted with both families on a personal level. Although she characterized them as kind and compassionate, she acknowledged that there were issues between them, though she was uncertain about the specifics.

The residence at 7 Drake Drive, where the victims reside, is marked with "no trespassing" and "private property" signs at the entrance of the driveway, in addition to surveillance cameras and floodlights.

The tranquil community adjacent to Drake Drive is located along the Barnegat Bay. The roads are bordered by a variety of residences, differing in both age and dimensions.

Adamo's residence, a spacious multilevel structure, is situated directly beside the home of the victims.

Barbara recounted her experience of being momentarily blinded by the intense floodlights while walking past the property.

Members of the SWAT Team noted the presence of a pressure cooker within the bedroom, as stated by Billhimer. Consequently, nearby homes were evacuated due to safety precautions. The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad subsequently entered the residence and confirmed that the pressure cooker posed no explosive threat.

Billhimer expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, the Berkeley Township Police Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, the Ocean County Regional SWAT-Crisis Negotiating Team, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad in relation to this investigation.