Stabbing in Ocean County: Man Killed While Trying to Break Up Fight

Stabbing in Ocean County: Man Killed While Trying to Break Up Fight

According to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, on May 9, a man from Brick Township was fatally stabbed while intervening in a dispute between the boyfriend and cousin of a woman residing at a home in Toms River.

Steven I. McNeill, 32, from Jackson, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, being a prohibited person in possession of a weapon, and eluding law enforcement, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

The girlfriend told authorities that McNeill and Seward started fighting and that it got physical, according to the affidavit. The girlfriend said that Mendez was stabbed in the chest when he attempted to break up the altercation between McNeill and Seward by placing himself between them.

He faces allegations of fatally stabbing Raniek Mendez, aged 34, from Brick Township, and of stabbing and injuring Roderick Seward, aged 30, from Toms River, as stated by Billhimer. The affidavit indicates that Seward sustained a stab wound to the eye and was also punched in the face and chest.

The affidavit states that the incident occurred at the Adams Avenue residence of McNeill's girlfriend, who is also Seward's cousin, just after 7 a.m. on May 9.

According to the affidavit, the woman told authorities that she had been dating McNeill for roughly six months and that she had argued with him the night before the stabbing over text messages she discovered on his phone.

Seward, who occasionally slept at her house, showed up the next morning after 5:30 a.m. when the girlfriend walked outside to smoke. The affidavit states that after McNeill made a remark to the girlfriend as they entered the house, Seward confronted McNeill.

The woman informed officers that she was able to briefly separate McNeill and Seward after they got into a physical altercation. She informed officials that the altercation resumed and went on until a neighbor dialed 911 at approximately 5:50 a.m.

Continuing investigation revealed that McNeill was the individual responsible for Mr. Mendez’s death, as well as the stabbing of Mr. Seward. McNeill was charged accordingly, and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.

While executing a court-authorized search warrant at the Adams Avenue residence, Detectives located a back pack belonging to Seward. During a subsequent search of the backpack, Detectives seized an amount of Cocaine.

As a result Seward was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Cocaine. Seward was served with the charges via summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.