Good Samaritan Fatally Stabbed While Trying to Break Up Fight in Toms River
A Brick Township man was stabbed to death earlier this month when he attempted to intervene in a fight between two men at a Toms River residence, according to court documents. Raniek Mendez, 34, was killed on May 9 after placing himself between Steven I. McNeill, 32, of Jackson, and Roderick Seward, 30, of Toms River, in an effort to stop their altercation, according to Patch.com.
McNeill has been charged with murder, 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 in connection with the incident, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
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Escalating Tensions Led to Fatal Confrontation
According to the probable cause affidavit, the incident stemmed from escalating tensions at the Adams Avenue home of McNeill’s girlfriend, who is also Seward’s cousin. The investigation revealed that the night before the stabbing, McNeill and his girlfriend had argued over text messages she found in his phone. The following morning, an initial confrontation occurred when Seward arrived at the residence.
Police were first called to the home around 5:50 a.m. for a physical altercation between McNeill and Seward, but both men had left before officers arrived. McNeill returned shortly afterward, as police were leaving the house, according to the girlfriend’s account detailed in the affidavit.
Fatal Intervention
The deadly confrontation occurred when Seward returned to the residence with Mendez. According to The Lakewood Scoop, Mendez was reportedly employed by multiple Lakewood Yeshivas and was a service unit member with Hatzolah of Central Jersey, a volunteer emergency medical service.
When a second argument between McNeill and Seward turned physical, Mendez stepped between the two men in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. It was during this intervention that Mendez was stabbed in the chest. The Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that Mendez suffered a stab wound to the chest and two to the torso.
Additional Injuries and Aftermath
Seward also sustained injuries in the incident, including a stab to the eye and punches to the face and chest, according to the court documents. Surveillance video from a nearby QuickChek showed Seward appearing to drive a vehicle at McNeill following the stabbing incident.
A 9mm shell casing was recovered outside the home, though no firearm has been found, according to Jersey Shore Online. The girlfriend reported hearing a gunshot during the incident as she was attempting to help Mendez.
Legal Proceedings and Additional Charges
After the incident, McNeill fled the scene but was later apprehended on Whitesville Road after initially refusing to pull over for police. He is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
In a separate development, Seward has been charged with possession of less than a half-ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute and with possession of cocaine after authorities found a backpack belonging to him at the Adams Avenue home. Seward was served with these charges via summons pending future court appearances.
Community Response
The incident has shocked community members, particularly in Lakewood where Mendez was known for his community service work. The initial 911 call reporting the altercation was made by an off-duty Seaside Park Class II Police Officer who was leaving a nearby convenience store.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit continue their investigation into the incident.
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