A family with Jamaican roots was at the centre of a tragic murder-suicide in the United States after a man fatally shot his Jamaican wife and her parents inside their New Jersey home before taking his own life, authorities say.
The victims have been identified as 38-year-old Deonna Stewart and her parents, Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60. Investigators say the shooter, 37-year-old Vaughn Stewart — Deonna’s husband and the father of their three children — died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at a residence on Fairwood Drive at about 5:00 a.m. on March 10. Responding officers reportedly saw a man entering the residence and soon after heard additional gunfire inside the home.
Members of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team later entered the residence, where they found Allan and Michelle Russell, the homeowners, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Three minor children who were inside the house at the time were not physically harmed.
Authorities said officers subsequently discovered Vaughn Stewart inside the home suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was later pronounced dead.
As investigators expanded the search of the surrounding area, officers located multiple shell casings outside the residence and discovered Deonna Stewart’s body about 50 yards away along Fairwood Drive.
Investigators believe Vaughn Stewart entered the home and shot his in-laws before chasing Deonna Stewart down the street and fatally shooting her. He then returned to the residence, where he turned the gun on himself.
Prosecutors said the couple shared three children — an infant, a three-year-old and a five-year-old — and had been living separately at the time of the incident. Deonna Stewart had been residing in the home with her parents and the children.
Authorities said the children are currently in the care of the Department of Child Protection and Permanency.
Neighbours described Allan and Michelle Russell as “the most amazing people,” noting that the Jamaican-born couple worked in the medical field.
Police have not yet disclosed a possible motive as investigations continue.
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