On the morning of March 2, 2025, 30-year-old Kevin Schmalz Jr. died of a gunshot wound inside an apartment at the Hamilton Greene complex in Mays Landing, New Jersey. Police were called about a burglary in progress around 7:21 a.m. after a resident reported an unknown, unclothed man at the bottom of his stairs who began to undress and then advanced up the stairs despite a warning shot.

Investigators determined Schmalz had been in a nearby car crash, fell into a creek, and—soaked in sub-20-degree weather—entered the unlocked apartment thinking it was his brother’s. The homeowner fired a second shot that struck Schmalz in the chest. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office later concluded the homeowner’s actions were justified under New Jersey self-defense law and announced no charges would be filed; the homeowner did not know Schmalz.

If anyone saw activity at Hamilton Greene that morning or knew where Kevin was coming from, please share what you know.