NJ Councilman Shot Dead 1 Week After Councilwoman Was Killed in Her Car

Police tape in a file photo. Mark Makela/Getty Images

A New Jersey city’s council member, Russell Heller, was shot dead in his car, coming about a week after another New Jersey council member was killed, officials said.

Heller, 51, was found shot and killed outside of his vehicle at the PSE&G facility in Franklin Township, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office said.  Heller, a Republican, was a senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G, according to reports.

“The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family,” Milford Mayor Henri Schepens told the New Jersey Star Advance publication.  “He was so full of life, it’s just unbelievable that he’s gone. Something like this has never happened in borough history. We are very shaken by this.”

A week ago, Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, also a Republican, was shot and killed inside her SUV outside her home about 15 miles away. Her home is located about 15 miles away from where Heller, a council member for the city of Milford, was reportedly killed.

The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, in a statement issued Wednesday, indicated that the shooting appears to be an “isolated incident.” An investigation into the matter is ongoing, officials said.

The Franklin Township Police responded to “multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting victim within the parking lot of PSE&G, on Weston Canal Road, Somerset, New Jersey. Responding Officers encountered a deceased adult male suffering from a gunshot wound,” prosecutors wrote, later identifying the victim as Heller.

Later, officials revealed that another PSE&G employee, Gary T. Curtis, shot and killed Heller while he was outside his vehicle.

“With the assistance of Bridgewater Township Police Officers, authorities approached the vehicle Mr. Curtis was operating and observed him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” officials said. “Mr. Curtis was in possession of a firearm. Medical personnel were requested to the scene and Mr. Curtis was pronounced deceased.”

It’s not clear if the slayings of Heller and Councilwoman Dwumfour are related. So far, no suspects have been named in Dwumfour’s death.

“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the shooting was an isolated incident and Mr. Heller was the intended target,” said authorities.

Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. Courtesy of Sayreville Borough Council

Dwumfour was shot and killed inside her car in early February. On Wednesday, the FBI indicated that it will assist in the investigation into her death, Yolanda Ciccone, the Middlesex County prosecutor, told the New York Times.

Ciccone offered no information about a motive or a suspect. But she stressed to the NY Times there’s no “ongoing threat to the community“ and that ”we will solve the case.”

Reactions

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent “thoughts and prayers” to Heller’s family and friends after the shooting, according to a post he made on Twitter. House Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.), whose district includes the area where Heller was shot and killed, wrote he was “shocked and saddened by the tragic murder.”

“Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved,” Kean said via Twitter.

The head of the county board of commissioners, Zachary Rich, said he wants to express a “collective shock and grief felt” over the “senseless shooting death” of Heller, according to the New York Post.

“Russell was a dedicated and valuable member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community whose leadership and commitment will be sorely missed,” Rich wrote. “More importantly, however, Russell was a loving and caring father to his daughter and a dedicated and loyal friend to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him,” he added.

PSE&G also issued a statement and said it would offer support to employees after the “tragic and disturbing event.”

“Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time,” PSE&G said.