NJ Maniac Shoots Married Neighbors Before Killing Himself in Mansion After Standoff with Cops

In a shocking turn of events, a tranquil neighborhood in Berkeley Township, New Jersey, was rocked by violence this week when a man shot his next-door neighbors before taking his own life during a standoff with law enforcement.​

According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, at approximately 4:45 p.m. on March 10, 2025, Berkeley Township Police received a 911 call reporting two gunshot victims at a residence on Drake Drive. Upon arrival, officers discovered a husband and wife, both suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where they are listed in critical but stable condition.

The investigation revealed that the assailant, identified as 54-year-old John Adamo, resided next door to the victims. Adamo allegedly shot the male victim while he was outside his home and then fired into the residence, striking the female victim. Following the shootings, Adamo retreated into his own house, prompting the response of the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the Crisis Negotiating Team. After approximately two and a half hours of attempted negotiations, SWAT members entered the residence and found Adamo deceased in an upstairs bedroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

During the standoff, SWAT officers observed a pressure cooker in the bedroom, leading to the evacuation of neighboring homes due to safety concerns. The New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad later determined that the device was not an explosive.

Neighbors expressed shock and disbelief over the incident. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “I’ve never heard a gunshot that loud.” The individual mentioned that while both families were known to be nice and caring, there had been unspecified problems between them.

Another neighbor, Barbara, recounted her experience with the intense floodlights installed at the victims’ property, which had startled her on previous occasions. She described the lights as “blazing” into her eyes, causing her to nearly lose her balance.

The quiet neighborhood, situated along the Barnegat Bay, is characterized by a mix of homes varying in age and size. The proximity of the residences, with Adamo’s larger, multistory house adjacent to the victims’ home, has left the community grappling with the tragic events.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shootings. The investigation is ongoing, with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad collaborating on the case. ​

Prosecutor Billhimer commended the coordinated efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in responding to the incident and ensuring public safety during the tense standoff.​

As the community mourns and seeks answers, residents are left to process the unsettling reality that such violence could erupt in their otherwise peaceful neighborhood.