Tragic Berkeley Township Shooting Leaves Three Dead, Shooter Deceased: Impact A devastating shooting incident in Berkeley Township, Ocean County, New Jersey left three people dead and the suspected shooter deceased in the early morning hours of March 10, 2026, law enforcement officials confirmed.
Police were dispatched to a residence on Fairwood Drive around 5:00 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire in the typically peaceful Bayville area of Berkeley Township. Upon arrival, responding officers heard additional shots and called in the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team.
Inside the home, authorities discovered two adults who had been fatally shot. Shortly afterward, officers located a third victim approximately 50 yards from the residence, also deceased.
Police identified the suspected shooter as 37‑year‑old Vaughn Stewart of Maplewood, New Jersey. According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Stewart shot his estranged partner 38‑year‑old Deonna Stewart and her parents — Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60 — before turning the gun on himself.
Stewart was found inside or near the scene with an apparent self‑inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was later pronounced deceased.
At the time of the shooting, three minor children were inside the home but were uninjured. Emergency responders ensured their safety, and they are now under the care of the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency.
The triple homicide and subsequent suicide are being treated as a murder‑suicide incident, and Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Officials have stated that there is no known continuing threat to the public at this time.
The news of the Berkeley Township shooting has left neighbors and residents deeply shaken, especially given the apparent family connection between the victims and the shooter. Local community members have expressed sorrow and disbelief as authorities continue to uncover details about the tragic morning.
Support services and counseling resources have been mentioned by officials for those affected by the incident, recognizing the emotional toll such violence has on close‑knit neighborhood.