New Jersey Man Fatally Shoots Estranged Wife and Her Parents Before Killing Himself, Authorities Say

Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60, and their daughter, Deonna Stewart, 38, were fatally shot early Tuesday morning, officials said.

Audrey Simons

Published: 3/12/2026, 5:26:04 PM EDT

New Jersey Man Fatally Shoots Estranged Wife and Her Parents Before Killing Himself, Authorities Say — Police tape in a file photo. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A New Jersey man fatally shot three of his relatives early Tuesday morning before turning the gun on himself, authorities said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office identified the shooter as 37-year-old Vaughn Stewart of Maplewood, revealing in a March 10 press release that he shot and killed his estranged wife's parents, Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60, inside their Berkeley Township home before fatally shooting his wife a short distance from the house.

Allan Russell managed to call 911 before succumbing to his injuries, NBC10 reported. "I am shot. I am shot in the house. Send an ambulance please," he told the operator, according to the outlet.

Officers responded to the Fairwood Drive residence around 5 a.m. after receiving the report of gunfire and discovered the Russells, who owned the home, dead from apparent gunshot wounds, prosecutors said. Three minor children were also found inside the house unharmed.

Stewart suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head and was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was later pronounced dead.

"Officers discovered multiple shell casings, and located a third victim, identified as Deonna Stewart, 38, of Berkeley Township, approximately 50 yards from the residence on the side of Fairwood Drive," officials said.

An investigation led by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, the Berkeley Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit found that Deonna Stewart resided at the home with her parents and three children she shared with her estranged husband, with whom she had been living separately.

"Further investigation revealed that Vaughn Stewart entered the residence and shot Mr. and Mrs. Russell," the press release reads. "Vaughn Stewart then chased Deonna Stewart down the street, fired multiple shots, and killed Ms. Stewart. Vaughn Stewart subsequently re-entered the residence and turned the gun on himself."

Officials said the three children are currently in the care of the Department of Child Protection and Permanency.

Authorities have not yet shared a motive for the killings. However, NBC10 reported that Vaughn Stewart had been arrested as recently as last month on charges of making a death threat in connection with a domestic violence case out of Union County. The outlet said police had also previously been called out to the Fairview Drive residence on multiple occasions for domestic violence-related calls.

NTD reached out to the Berkeley Township Police Department for additional information, but a response was not received by publication time.