BERKELEY, NJ — A tragic incident unfolded in Berkeley Shores on Monday evening when a Bayville man shot his neighbors, a husband and wife, before taking his own life following a standoff with police, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
John Adamo, 54, allegedly shot his next-door neighbors shortly before 5 p.m. on Drake Drive. Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that Adamo first shot the husband while he was outside his home and then fired into the house, striking the man’s wife. After the shooting, Adamo retreated to his own home, where he barricaded himself.
The victims, whose names have not been released, were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Both are in critical but stable condition as they receive treatment for their injuries. The community is rallying around the couple, hoping for their full recovery.
The Ocean County SWAT Team responded to the scene and surrounded Adamo’s home in an attempt to negotiate his surrender. After approximately two-and-a-half hours, SWAT members entered the home and found Adamo dead in an upstairs bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. During the search, authorities discovered a pressure cooker in the bedroom, prompting the evacuation of neighboring homes. However, it was later determined that the device was not an explosive.
A motive for the shooting remains unclear, as investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy. The sudden and violent nature of the incident has left the Berkeley Shores community in shock and mourning.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence and the importance of addressing conflicts peacefully. The community is left to grieve and seek solace in the hope that such a tragedy will never occur again.