Toms River Man Charged Firing Gun During Deadly May Fight

On May 9, 2025, a deadly altercation occurred at a residence on Adams Avenue in Toms River involving Roderick Seward, Steven McNeill, and Raniek Mendez. McNeill allegedly stabbed Mendez, who died from his injuries, and also wounded Seward, who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Seward has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose after investigators found he fired a handgun during the fight, verified by the recovery of a shell casing at the scene. Police had responded earlier that morning to a fight between McNeill and Seward, but McNeill left before returning to fatally stab Mendez and injure Seward. McNeill faces charges including murder, attempted murder, and multiple weapons offenses, with his defense claiming self-defense. Additionally, Seward was found with cocaine and was initially charged with drug offenses before the weapons charges were added.