Stabbing Victim In Toms River Fight Charged With Firing Handgun: Prosecutor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man who was stabbed during a fight with his cousin's boyfriend has been charged with illegally possessing a handgun in connection with the fight that happened in Toms River in May, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Roderick J. Seward, 30, has been charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the May 9 fight that led to the death of Raniek Mendez, 34, of Brick Township, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The fight happened shortly after 7 a.m. on May 9 at the Adams Avenue home of Seward's cousin, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the arrest of Steven I. McNeill, 32, of Jackson, who has been charged with murder in the killing of Mendez.

McNeill is accused of fatally stabbing Mendez and of stabbing and injuring Seward, who was stabbed in the eye and punched in the face and chest, according to the affidavit. He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, being a certain person not to possess a weapon and eluding.

During his detention hearing, McNeill's defense attorney, Francis Hodgson Jr., argued that McNeill had been defending himself when he stabbed Seward. Mendez was stabbed when he tried to intervene in the fight between the two men, according to the affidavit.

After the stabbing, McNeill ran out the door of the home and was chased by Seward, Seward's cousin told authorities, according to the affidavit. As she tried to help Mendez out of the house she heard a gunshot, then saw Seward get in his vehicle and drive in the direction of McNeill, who was on the corner of the QuickChek property across the street, according to the affidavit.

During the detention hearing, Hodgson alleged it was Mendez who had brought a handgun and fired it, but the prosecutor's office said investigators determined Seward was the person who fired the handgun.

Seward, who initially was charged with possession of less than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine, was charged Tuesday in connection with the handgun, the prosecutor's office said. He surrendered himself at the Toms River Police Department and is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

McNeill remains in the Ocean County Jail, where he was ordered held until trial.

Previous reporting:

• Man Stabbed To Death As He Tried To Break Up Fight In Toms River: Affidavit
• Victims Identified, Details Released In Toms River Stabbing Incident