TOMS RIVER – A Toms River man has been charged with weapons offenses in connection with a May 9 altercation that left one man dead and another injured, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Roderick Seward, 30, was charged on July 1 with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose following a lengthy investigation into the incident on Adams Avenue in Toms River.
According to authorities, police responded to a 911 call around 7:20 a.m. on May 9 regarding an altercation at the residence. An off-duty Seaside Park Class II Police Officer reported the disturbance after leaving a nearby convenience store.
Responding officers found 34-year-old Raniek Mendez of Brick Township with a stab wound to the chest. He was transported to Community Medical Center, where he later died. Detectives also recovered a single shell casing at the scene after witnesses reported hearing a gunshot.
Investigators later learned that Seward had also sustained stab wounds during the incident and was taken to Ocean University Medical Center by a family member. His injuries were not life-threatening.
Earlier that same morning, around 5:50 a.m., officers had responded to a previous altercation at the same residence involving Seward and another man, identified as McNeill. McNeill had left the residence before officers arrived and the scene was cleared.
A joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit led to the identification of a vehicle seen fleeing the scene. The vehicle, driven by McNeill, was later located in Jackson Township. After initially failing to stop for police, McNeill eventually pulled over and was taken into custody without incident.
Authorities say McNeill was responsible for Mendez’s fatal stabbing and for stabbing Seward. He was charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, multiple weapons offenses, and Eluding. McNeill remains in the Ocean County Jail pending trial.
During the investigation, detectives executed a search warrant at the Adams Avenue residence and recovered a backpack belonging to Seward that contained cocaine. Seward was initially charged with possession and intent to distribute.
Further investigation revealed that Seward had fired a gun during the altercation. He surrendered to police on July 1 and is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer credited the collaborative efforts of the Prosecutor’s Office, Toms River Police, and the Sheriff’s CSI Unit in advancing the investigation.
