TOMS RIVER – A Jackson Township man will stay in jail accused of stabbing two men, resulting in one man’s death, authorities said.
Steven McNeill, 32, was order to remain detained in the Ocean County Jail on the charge of Murder in connection with the death of Raniek Mendez, 34, of Brick Township, that occurred in Toms River on May 9.
McNeill is also being detained on the charges of Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Eluding, all arising out of the same series of incidents that occurred in Toms River on May 9.
Police received a 911 call from an off-duty Seaside Park Class II Police Officer regarding an altercation at a home on Adams Avenue. Officers found Mendez with a stab wound to his chest, and he was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
A second victim, later identified as Roderick Seward, 30, of Toms River, was also stabbed at the Adams Avenue home. Seward was transported to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick Township by a family member for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
During investigation, police learned that on the same day around 5:50 a.m., officers responded to the same home after a 911 call. McNeill and Seward had been involved in an altercation at the home; McNeill left the home and responding officers cleared the scene.
Authorities identified a vehicle that fled the scene of the stabbings, traveling to Jackson Township. Officers attempted to pull the car over, which the driver initially refused to. The driver, later identified as McNeill, ultimately brought the vehicle to a stop. McNeill was thereafter taken into custody without incident.
It was later revealed that McNeill was the person responsible for Mendez’s death, as well as the stabbing of Seward. McNeill was charged accordingly, and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Detectives searched the Adams Avenue home and found a backpack belonging to Seward. Inside 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.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
