Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith Germain announced that on March 9, 2019 Barnegat Township Police were called to a residence in reference to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. An investigation determined that James Hammer, 46, of Barnegat had accidently shot himself while disassembling a firearm. Mr. Hammer was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township and then flown to Atlanticare Regional Trauma Center in Atlantic City. Unfortunately, Mr. Hammer died from his wounds at approximately midnight.