The disturbing truth of why a petty feud between rich neighbors in a seaside town erupted in a gun battle

A violent dispute between two rich Jersey Shore neighbors descended into chaos and gunfire that ended with the shooter dead and two people in critical condition.

Jill and Tom Kwatkoski were gunned down outside their million dollar home on Drake Drive in Berkeley Township on Monday afternoon by their next-door neighbor John Adamo, 54.

Adamo shot the husband while he was doing some outside work on his residence, then fired into the house striking the wife. 

He then fled to his home and barricaded himself in an upstairs room before turning the gun on himself, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Major Crime Unit and Berkeley Township Police Department. 

Jill was heard screaming during the 911 call pleading for help. 'My neighbor! We got shot by our neighbor! 11 Drake Drive. Please hurry,' according to the chilling audio obtained by NBC4. 

'Please get the cops here. I'm bleeding to death. 'I can't leave my kids. If I do, please tell them that I love them,' she told the dispatcher. 

The couple were airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune listed in critical but stable condition.

The Kwatkoski's had recently installed new security cameras and a 'No Trespassing' and 'Private Property' signs that called out Adamo and his wife by name. The signs and camera faced their home. 

An eyewitness told The New York Post that before the shooting occurred there was a fiery argument that saw Adamo ripping off one of the surveillance cameras from the wooden pole where it was placed.

According to the audio the frantic mother-of-four is heard telling the dispatcher that at least three rounds of ammunition was fired. 

'My husband, I think he's dead outside and my leg is killing me,' she said.

When the dispatcher asked where she was shot, the female victim replied: 'I'm in the left leg — my husband I think — at least 3 rounds. Oh my God.' 

Despite being in excruciating pain, Jill managed to share details about the terrifying moments leading up to the shooting.

She told the operator that her husband was working outside near their home at the corner of Drake and Amherst Drive when Adamo walked over to him and open fired.

The panicked wife told the dispatcher 'there's blood everywhere,' and then told her the type of gun he was using. 

 'It looks like a f****** rifle. It looked like a rifle,' she said. 'Please hurry.' 

Monday's dispute was one of many feuds the couple and Adamo has had that has been going for years. 

Those who knew the dueling homeowners described, Adamo as an alcoholic and a 'nut job' while others called him a 'nice guy' particularly when 'sober.'      

Police were first alerted to the crime when a 911 call came in regarding two gunshot victims around 4.45pm Monday.

When Ocean County Regional SWAT Team and the Ocean County Regional SWAT-Crisis Negotiating Team arrived on the scene, they surrounded the shooter's home.

Both teams waited nearly two-and-a-half-hours giving Adamo the chance to surrender, but after the hours long standoff, they blew open his front door and found him dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Amid the chaos, the New Jersey State Bomb Squad was called in when a pressure cooker was found inside one of the bedrooms which prompted neighboring residents to evacuate. 

 The bomb squad later determined that the pressure cooker was not an explosive device.

Over the last year, police have responded to the homes at least a half a dozen times, NBC NY reported.

Many expressed shock and surprise when they learned about the tragedy on their block that left them shaken.

The Kwatkoski's were described as 'extraordinarily nice people,' as per the news outlet.

One neighbor shared that one of their children is a cancer survivor and that the family is very active in volunteering and fundraising for childhood cancer.

'We're all friends in the neighborhood and, you know, we have parties together,' Louie Pascalli told CBS News. [There was] always friction, but never anything serious like this."

Neighbor Joe Spicciatie explained, 'they've been in a longtime dispute. I don't know what brought it to that point.'

'They have the cameras aimed at each other's houses, but in my book they were all nice.' 

According to reports, Adamo, who was originally from Staten Island, had been cut off from his family due to his issue with alcoholism and his deceased father’s estate.

Police are continuing to investigate, a police spokesperson told DailyMail.com. 

Jill Stuart, a family friend created a GoFundMe to help raise money to go towards the couple's recovery and medical expenses.  

'We are reaching out to ask for your support for Tom and Jill, a loving couple and devoted parents to four boys, who are facing unimaginable challenges after a tragic shooting at their home,' Stuart wrote.

'Both Tom and Jill were victims of gun violence and are currently in the process of recovery. While the physical wounds will eventually heal, the emotional and financial toll on their family is significant, and their journey toward recovery is just beginning.

'Tom and Jill are always the first to help others, whether it’s supporting their community or raising their sons with love and care. Now, they need our help,' she wrote, in part.

As of Friday afternoon, nearly $16,000 has been raised towards their goal of $40,000. 

A wake will be held for Adamo on Monday at Scarpaci Funeral Home of Staten Island and a funeral on Tuesday at Holy Child Church.