Berkeley Township police responded to a home on Fairwood Drive at approximately 5 a.m., for a report of shots fired, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Responding officers observed a man entering the residence and heard additional gunfire from inside the home, Billhimer said. The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team entered the residence, where officers found two victims dead from apparent gunshot wounds, Billhimer said.
The victims were later identified as Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60, the homeowners, Billhimer said. Also inside the residence were three minor children who were unharmed, Billhimer said
As officers continued clearing the home, they discovered Vaughn Stewart, a 37-year-old Maplewood resident with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Billhimer said. Stewart was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was pronounced dead, Billhimer said.
Officers expanded the perimeter of the investigation and located multiple shell casings before finding a third victim approximately 50 yards from the residence along Fairwood Drive, Billhimer said. The third victim was identified as Deonna Stewart, a 38-year-old Berkeley Township resident, Billhimer said.
Deonna lived at the Fairwood Drive home with her parents, Allan and Michelle, and her three children, Billhimer said. Vaughn Stewart and Deonna Stewart were the parents of the children but had been living separately, Billhimer said.
Vaughn entered the residence and shot the Russell's, before he chased Deonna down the street, firing multiple shots, killing her, Billhimer said.
Het then returned to the home and turned the gun on himself., Billhimer said. The three children are currently in the care of the Department of Child Protection and Permanency, Billhimer said.
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