Neighborhood Dispute Ends in Tragedy, Couple Hospitalized

A longstanding neighborhood dispute escalated into violence Monday afternoon when a Berkeley Township man allegedly shot his next-door neighbors before taking his own life, authorities said. Thomas Kwatkoski, 58, and his wife Jill, 56, were both hospitalized with gunshot wounds and are receiving treatment at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, 54-year-old John Adamo shot Thomas Kwatkoski while he was outside near his Drake Drive home, then fired into the residence, striking Jill Kwatkoski. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. when Berkeley Township Police received calls reporting two shooting victims at the location.

Current Condition of Victims

As of Wednesday afternoon, Thomas Kwatkoski remains in critical but stable condition, while Jill Kwatkoski’s condition has been upgraded to stable, according to Bryan Huntenburg, spokesperson for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. The couple was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center immediately following the shooting.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. and Mrs. Kwatkoski during this tragic time, and we will continue to pray that both are healed completely,” said Dr. Frederick D. Williams, superintendent of South Amboy Public School District, where Jill Kwatkoski taught for over 20 years before her recent retirement. Williams described her as “one of the most caring and dedicated educators” in the district.

According to Asbury Park Press, Jill Kwatkoski maintained strong connections with former students who often returned to visit her because of the positive impact she had on their lives, both academically and personally.

A Family That Has Faced Previous Challenges

This tragedy adds to previous hardships faced by the Kwatkoski family. Linda Gillick, founder of Ocean of Love, an organization that assists families of children with cancer, told reporters that she got to know the family about ten years ago when their youngest son, Trevor, was diagnosed with bone cancer in his left leg at age five.

“When he was first diagnosed, you just couldn’t help but love him, and you couldn’t help but love the whole family,” Gillick said. “They are very close-knit, kind. Just wonderful people. I just don’t know why bad things happen to good people.”

Gillick noted that the family had previously organized a “Christmas in July” toy drive in 2016 to help other children receiving cancer treatment at The Cancer Hospital of New Jersey at Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick. This charitable act followed their son receiving Christmas gifts during his own treatment.

Standoff and Aftermath

Following the shooting, Adamo retreated to his own residence, initiating a response from the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiating Team, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. After surrounding Adamo’s home for approximately two and a half hours in an attempt to negotiate a surrender, SWAT team members entered the residence.

Authorities found Adamo deceased in an upstairs bedroom from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, People reported. The SWAT team also discovered a pressure cooker inside the home that prompted a temporary evacuation of neighboring houses due to concerns it might be an explosive device. The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad later confirmed it was not dangerous.

History of Disputes

According to Billhimer, there was a documented history of disputes between the neighbors. Local residents told CBS New York that tensions had existed between the households for years, with surveillance cameras reportedly pointed at each other’s properties and “No Trespassing” signs posted.

“I don’t know what was going on with them, but it was back and forth and going on for years,” one neighbor told reporters. Another resident, identified only as Barbara, described hearing the gunshots: “I’ve never heard a gunshot that loud.”

Neighbor Deborah Nowakoski expressed shock at the violent turn of events, telling CBS, “I can’t understand how it could have possibly gotten to this, so it’s sad, very sad.” Another neighbor, Louie Pascalli, noted the contrast between the dispute and the otherwise friendly neighborhood atmosphere: “We’re all friends in the neighborhood and, you know, we have parties together. [There was] always friction, but never anything serious like this.”

Community Response

The incident has shaken the typically quiet Berkeley Township community, located in Ocean County near the Jersey Shore. Neighbors described both families as generally pleasant, making the violent outcome of their dispute all the more shocking.

“They’ve been in a longtime dispute. I don’t know what brought it to that point. They have the cameras aimed at each other’s houses, but in my book they were all nice,” neighbor Joe Spicciatie told reporters.

The Berkeley Township Police Department continues to investigate the incident, though with the apparent shooter deceased, no charges are forthcoming. Community members have begun organizing support for the Kwatkoski family as they face a long recovery process.