Man Shoots Female And Dog Before Turning Gun On Himself In Apparent Murder Suicide

July 30, 2023

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ (OCEAN)–Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Little Egg Harbor Township Chief of Police James Hawkins announced that on July 29, 2023, at approximately 5:10 a.m., Officers from the Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to a residence on Whitemarsh Court in reference to a 911 call; the caller stated that she believed someone was breaking into her apartment.  Responding Officers made forced entry into the apartment, where they located the deceased body of a 49-year-old female victim with an apparent gunshot wound to the face. A deceased dog with apparent gunshot wounds was located in the apartment as well. Additionally, Officers discovered a 52-year-old male with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The male – who was conscious when police arrived- was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department responded to the scene for purposes of conducting an investigation. Preliminary investigation indicates that the male shot the female victim, and the dog, before turning the gun on himself. The investigation remains active and ongoing.      

Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Hawkins acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Little Egg Harbor Township Police Department, Little Egg Harbor Police Department Detective Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, for their combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.