A New Jersey city council member was fatally shot in her car on Wednesday, exactly one week after the unsolved murder of Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour.
Russell Heller, 51, was found dead shortly after 7 am. in the Somerset car park of PSE&G, the local power company where the Milford Republican worked.
Police quickly identified a former employee, Gary Curtis, 58, as a suspect, and he was found dead in his car from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot approximately three and a half hours after the killing.
The councilor’s killing came exactly one week after Sayreville councilwoman Dwumfour, also a Republican, was shot in her pickup truck outside her home about 15 miles away. His murder remains unsolved.
Authorities did not link the crimes, and the Somerset County Attorney’s Office insisted Heller’s murder appeared to be “an isolated incident” and was unrelated to his elected office or political affiliation. “An investigation is ongoing to determine the motive,” the prosecutor’s office said, noting that “Heller was the intended target.”
Governor Phil Murphy sent “thoughts and prayers” to Heller’s “family and friends” in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.
US Representative Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), whose district includes the area, said he was “shocked and saddened by the tragic murder” of his fellow Republican.
“Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the waterfront city he loved,” Kean tweeted. Milford Mayor Henri Schepens told NJ.com that “the Milford City Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts are with his family.”
Heller “was so full of life that it’s amazing he’s gone,” the mayor said.
“Something like this has never happened in the history of the municipality. We are very shocked by this.”
Heller had been a board member since 2020 in Milford, a district in Hunterdon County, according to the Franklin Reporter &; Advocate.
County Board of Commissioners Chairman Zachary Rich expressed “collective shock and sincere grief” at the “meaningless death.”
“Russell was a devoted and valued member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community whose leadership and commitment will be greatly missed,” Rich wrote. “However, more importantly, Russell was a loving and caring father to his daughter and a devoted and loyal friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him,” she said of the “tragic loss.”
Meanwhile, PSE&G said it was “offering support” to employees following the “tragic and disturbing event”.
The power company said it was “heartbroken over the tragic death” of Heller, a senior supervisor of distribution for the company.
“Russell was an admired employee and supervisor with over 11 years of service at PSE&G. He will all be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time,” said PSE&; G.
There was no mention of the suspect, Curtis, or when he left the firm.
