Tragic Incident in Ocean County: Neighbor Shoots Couple, Then Self

According to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, on March 10, 2025, at approximately 4:45 p.m., the Berkeley Township Police Department received a 911 call in reference to two gunshot victims at a residence on Drake Drive.

Responding Officers discovered a male and female victim each suffering from a gunshot wound; the victims are husband and wife. Both victims were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where they are each listed in critical but stable condition.

A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Berkeley Township Police Department revealed that the victims had been shot by their next door neighbor, John Adamo, 54.

It was also learned that Adamo shot the male victim while he was located outside of the neighboring residence, and then shot into neighboring residence - striking the female victim. Adamo then retreated into his own residence.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the Ocean County Regional SWAT-Crisis Negotiating Team responded and surrounded Adamo’s residence in an attempt to have him surrender.

After approximately two and one-half hours, SWAT Team members made entry into the residence and found Adamo in an upstairs bedroom - deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Members of the SWAT Team also observed a pressure cooker inside the bedroom. At that time, neighboring residences were evacuated for safety concerns. The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad entered the residence and determined the pressure cooker was not an explosive.

This incident is still under investigation. Any information please contact Berkeley Township Police Department.