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A New Jersey family experienced an unimaginable tragedy on Tuesday, March 10, when a man shot and killed the mother of his three children and her parents before turning the gun on himself, police confirmed.
Police responded to a home on Fairwood Drive around 5 a.m. Tuesday after receiving reports of shots fired. According to investigators, a man entered the home before gunshots were heard inside. statement From the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Ocean County Regional SWAT team entered the home after receiving a call and discovered the body of the 61-year-old homeowner. Alan Russell and 60 years old Michelle Russell. Allen and Michelle both suffered gunshot wounds to the head.
When police searched the house, they found three children uninjured.
Officers also found a man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The man was later identified as 37 years old Vaughn Stewart – was transported to a community medical center where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.
As police continued to investigate the scene, they discovered multiple shell casings and the body of a third victim about 50 meters from the house. The third victim was eventually identified as Vaughn’s 38-year-old wife, Deanna Stewart.
Investigators determined that DeAnna lived at home with her three children and her parents, Ellen and Michelle. Meanwhile, officials said Vaughn is the father of Deanna’s child and the two have been living apart.
Authorities determined Vaughn entered the home early in the morning and shot Allen and Michelle. It is believed he chased Deanna through the street and shot her. Vaughn then returned home and committed suicide, officials said.
The three children found at the home are currently in the care of the Department of Child Protection and Permanency. It’s unclear what they may have witnessed.
“This investigation remains active and further information will be released in due course,” prosecutors Bradley Beerheimer said in a statement about the incident shared via social media. Billhimer also thanked the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Berkeley Township Police Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their assistance and cooperation during the investigation.
Details about Vaughn’s relationship with the estranged family member have not been revealed. It’s unclear how long he and DeAnna have been separated and what their co-parenting relationship was like at the time of the killings.
After the victim was identified, a neighbor asked police for help Asbury Park Press He said Alan and Michelle were “the most amazing people”. Neighbors added that the couple were from Jamaica and both worked in the medical field.
Meanwhile, the neighbor James Casella also told new jersey.com Alan and Michelle have been caring for him and his three children. “They call me every few weeks just to check in on us,” he shared. “My kids were looking out the back window, just to see if they were out there, just to say hi. It hit us hard. They’re really great, great people.”
