Toms River Stabbing Suspect Charged With Murder

Steven McNeill, 32, has been charged with murder and related offenses after fatally stabbing Raniek Mendez, 34, and injuring Roderick Seward, 30, on Adams Avenue in Toms River on May 9. Police initially responded to a 911 call from an off-duty Seaside Park officer and found Mendez deceased and Seward with non-life-threatening injuries. Earlier, police had been called to the same residence for a fight involving McNeill and Seward, but McNeill had left before officers arrived. McNeill was later apprehended in Jackson Township following a vehicle stop and remains in custody pending a detention hearing. Authorities recovered cocaine at the scene, resulting in drug charges against Seward, and are also looking into a report of a single gunshot heard during the incident. Officials have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the investigation is ongoing.