A New Jersey man fatally shot his estranged wife and her parents before killing himself, leaving their three young children unharmed in the home. The incident occurred at the wife's parents' house in Berkeley Township. Police say the shooter had previously threatened to murder her and her family.
On March 10, Vaughn Stewart, 37, went to the home of his estranged wife Deonna Stewart's parents in Berkeley Township, New Jersey, where he carried out a deadly attack. According to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, Stewart first shot Deonna's parents, Allan Russell, 61, and Michelle Russell, 60. He then pursued Deonna, 38, as she fled the house. Neighborhood surveillance footage captured her screaming "Murderer!" before her body was found 50 yards away. Stewart later turned the gun on himself and died at a hospital.
The couple's three children—an infant, a 3-year-old, and a 5-year-old—were inside the home during the incident but were not harmed. Deonna and the children had been living with her parents after separating from Vaughn, who resided with his mother in Maplewood, New Jersey. Neighbors reported hearing frequent arguments between Vaughn and a woman believed to be Deonna at his residence.
This tragedy followed a history of domestic violence. About one month earlier, police responded to a disturbance at a QuickChek store in Cranford, New Jersey, where Vaughn allegedly punched a family member—identity redacted in court documents—in the head multiple times and ripped a braid from her scalp. He was heard threatening to "murder her and her family." Vaughn faced charges of terroristic threats, harassment, and simple assault. After his February court appearance, prosecutors did not seek pretrial detention.
Deonna had filed for divorce in April 2024, but the case was dismissed in January 2025. Allan and Michelle Russell worked in the medical field and were active in their church. A neighbor described them to The Asbury Park Press as "the most amazing people," noting their kindness in delivering care packages after his job injury.