BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – In a chilling incident that shook a quiet neighborhood, a man allegedly opened fire on his next-door neighbors before taking his own life on Monday, according to local police. The tragic events unfolded when John Adamo, 54, reportedly targeted his neighbors, Tom and Jill Kwatkoski, during what investigators are calling a long-standing feud.
The Berkeley Township Police Department reported that officers responded to an emergency call at approximately 4:45 p.m. at a residence in the area. Upon arriving, they discovered the Kwatkoskis with gunshot wounds. The couple was quickly evacuated from the scene and were both flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, N.J., where they are currently in critical yet stable condition.
Adamo retreated to his residence following the shooting. Police and SWAT teams swiftly set up a perimeter, hoping to apprehend him peacefully. After enduring a tense standoff that lasted over two hours, they entered the home to find Adamo dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Adding to the drama, authorities discovered a pressure cooker inside Adamo’s home, prompting a precautionary evacuation of nearby residences over fears it could be an explosive device. However, the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad later determined it posed no threat.
The shocking violence has left neighbors grappling with confusion and sorrow. Some residents recounted observing signs of tension, such as surveillance cameras pointed at Adamo’s property and a “No Trespassing” sign.
One neighbor mentioned that the feud between Adamo and the Kwatkoskis had “been going on for years.” Another expressed disbelief that their disagreements could escalate to such a tragic outcome, describing all parties involved as generally amiable.
“The neighborhood is usually peaceful,” a resident shared. “We are all friends here, have gatherings together. There was friction, but nothing ever hinted at something this extreme.”
Authorities in Berkeley Township are continuing their investigation to understand the motives behind the tragic events better. Police representatives have not released any further details, leaving the community eagerly awaiting more information as they come to terms with the loss.