'Active shooter' situation in Toms River ends with murder suspect dead of self-inflicted gunshot: police
police lights (FOX 9)
NEW JERSEY - A man wanted in connection with a murder last month is dead after a seven-hour standoff with police in Toms River, authorities say.
According to law enforcement, Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, died of a self-inflicted gunshot on Friday after a standoff with police at a home on Ravenwood Drive
Johnston was wanted in connection with the murder of 25-year-old Gabriella Caroleo of seaside Heights on June 27.
The standoff caused police to evacuate the area near where Johnston had barricaded himself.
"We thank everyone in the neighborhood for their patience as this situation is concluded, and there is no further danger to the public," said Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.
"I’d like to commend the men & women in law enforcement that spent the day trying to bring this situation to a peaceful resolution. There were many tense moments and the men & women that were out there handled themselves professionally and thankfully none of them were injured," Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
MANCHESTER MURDER SUSPECT TAKES OWN LIFE
AFTER STANDOFF WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
IN TOMS RIVEROcean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Toms River Township Police Chief Mitchell Little announced that Maxwell Johnston, 35, of Manchester Township, who was wanted in connection with the Murder of Gabriella Caroleo, 25, of Seaside Heights, that occurred in Manchester Township on June 27, 2024, is deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a nearly seven hour standoff at 1905 Ravenwood Drive in Toms River."We thank everyone in the neighborhood for their patience as this situation is concluded and there is no further danger to the public," Prosecutor Billhimer stated.Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Little express their sincere gratitude to the Oceand County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Toms River Township Police Department Emergency Services Unit, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Toms River Police SWAT Team, Toms River Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and United States Marshal’s Service for their cooperative assistance with this situation."I’d like to commend the men & women in law enforcement that spent the day trying to bring this situation to a peaceful resolution. There were many tense moments and the men & women that were out there handled themselves professionally and thankfully none of them were injured," Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.