A tragic shooting in Berkeley Township has left three family members dead in what authorities say was a devastating act of domestic violence early Tuesday morning. The incident occurred at a home on Fairwood Drive, where law enforcement discovered multiple victims after responding to reports of gunfire.

According to Bradley D. Billhimer of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, officers with the Berkeley Township Police Department were dispatched to the residence at approximately 5:00 a.m. on March 10, 2026, after receiving reports of shots fired. When officers arrived, they observed a man entering the home and soon heard additional gunshots coming from inside.

The Ocean County Regional SWAT Team was called to the scene and made entry into the residence. Inside, officers discovered two victims deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were later identified as homeowners Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60. Authorities also found three minor children inside the home who were unharmed.

As officers continued clearing the residence, they discovered a man identified as Vaughn Stewart, 37, of Maplewood, suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Stewart was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators then expanded the search area around the home and discovered a third victim, Deonna Stewart, 38, on the side of Fairwood Drive about 50 yards from the residence. Authorities say Deonna Stewart lived at the home with her parents, Allan and Michelle Russell, along with her three children. Investigators determined that Vaughn Stewart and Deonna Stewart were the parents of the children but had been living separately.

Officials say the investigation revealed that Vaughn Stewart entered the home and shot Allan and Michelle Russell. He then chased Deonna Stewart down the street, firing multiple shots and killing her before returning to the house and taking his own life. The three children are now in the care of the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency. Prosecutor Billhimer commended the efforts of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit for their work in the investigation.