3 New Milford Natives Shot To Death Inside N.C. Home: Authorities

NEW MILFORD, N.J. – Three people — a father, mother, and grandmother — who moved to North Carolina from New Milford were shot to death Saturday morning while arguing with a neighbor, according to published reports.

Officials identified the bodies of Sandy Mazzella, 47, his wife, Stephanie Ann Mazzella, 47, and Elaine Toby Mazzella, 76, Monday. They were found inside their Raleigh, North Carolina home, ABC11 in North Carolina reported.

Authorities identified the alleged shooter as Jonathan Frederick Sander, 52, who lived next door to the family, the report said.

Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison told ABC11 that the shootings stemmed from an ongoing argument between the Mazzellas and Sanders' family.

The Mazzellas’ 14-year-old daughter and her grandfather were also inside the house when the shooting occurred but were not injured, according to the report. The couple also has a 7-year-old son, NJ.com reported.

According to ABC11, sheriff’s deputies were first called to the house at 9 a.m. Saturday after neighbors heard yelling coming from two homes.

Authorities said it is unclear what started the dispute, ABC11 reported.

Sandy Mazzella lived in Belleville from the late 1990s until 2003 and Stephenie lived in Saddle Brook, NJ.com reported. The family moved to the Poconos before moving to North Carolina, Mike Wright, a family friend told NJ.com.

Jonathan Frederick Sander, 52/Courtesy of law enforcement