Police on Thursday called the shooting an "isolated incident.". This event is tragic and disturbing and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. / CBS New York. He was brutally honest and he was always the life of the party, making people laugh, cracking jokes all the time.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Legal Statement. The killing comes a week after a member of a different New Jersey borough council was shot and killed outside her home. Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township.Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence. Police are still searching for a motive for Heller's killing. Police called to the scene found 51-year-old Senior Distribution Supervisor Russell Heller dead from a gunshot wound in the parking lot outside the facility. Police say as he was coming to work on Wednesday, he was gunned down next to his car. ", U.S. Rep. Tom Kean said in a Facebook post that he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder" of Heller. Gary Curtis, 58, was identified as the suspect in the shooting and found at 10:20 a.m. inside a car in Bridgewater, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. Authorities responded to calls that a person had been shot at the PSE&G facility in Franklin Township just after 7 a.m. Wednesday. WebFranklin police were dispatched about 10:33 p.m. Saturday to the Fuller Street and Franklin Boulevard on a report of a person wounded when gunshots were fired in the area. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence," New Jersey Gov. WebGet breaking Hunterdon County NJ local news, weather, events, sports and more from Flemington, Clinton, Lambertville, Lebanon, Raritan and others. Investigators believe this was an isolated incident, and that Heller was the intended target. Have a news tip? "The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens told digital news content provider NJ.com. Watch more local news on CBS News New York: https://cbsn.ws/3Uycq1M. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene along with detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department to investigate. FRANKLIN (Somerset) A PSE&G employee, who was also a Republican borough councilman in the Hunterdon County community of Milford, was fatally shot Wednesday morning in the parking lot of the utilitys facility on Weston Canal Road. The victim was identified as Michelle Cruz, 28, of Lawnside. It remains an ongoing homicide investigation. I think the only thing thats keeping us together is going through the whole investigation process and making sure that we get justice for my brother, she said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Our mayor and fellow council people are devastated. The shooting was reported about 10:40 p.m. Sunday in the 3800 block of Franklin Avenue near Magnolia Avenue, Fullerton police Lt. Tony Rios said. While conducting theirinvestigation, detectives were notified of a second victim, an Edison man who went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. Something like this has never happened in borough history. ", In a statement to NBC New York, PSE&G said "We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. NJ COUNCILWOMAN MURDER: SHADOWY FIGURE SEEN ON CAMERA RUNNING NEAR SITE OF UNSOLVED KILLING. February 28, 2023, 10:16 PM. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The PSE&G facility, the central division headquarters in Somerset, is a busy hub, but activity was brought to a standstill following the shooting. Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was found in her SUV outside a Sayreville apartment complex with multiple gunshot wounds, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said; she was pronounced dead on scene. In addition to these jobs, he was also a basketball coach, Guzman noted. Our She was pronounced deceased at the scene. "The investigation has revealed that the shooting was an isolated incident and Mr. Heller was the intended target," the prosecutor's office said. He always wanted to make sure that he was living his best life and making money for the future, she said. "The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens added. Authorities say 51-year-old Russell Heller was shot and killed by former employee, 58-year-old Gary Curtis, in the parking lot. Were all really, really hurt and trying to process it. SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - The Hampden District Attorneys Office has released new information into an officer-involved shooting in Springfield last weekend that left a 48-year-old man dead. We are very shaken by this.". The firearm used in the parking lot shooting was recovered inside. A man shot in the head early Saturday outside of a closed bar in Gloucester County has died of his injuries, authorities confirmed Wednesday. All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. He greatly enjoyed serving the residents of the town that he grew up in and was always trying to improve whatever he could. He was found a mile away in a parking lot inside his SUV, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dwumfour -- the mother of a 12-year-old daughter and leader of her church -- was elected into office in 2021 and worked as a business analyst and part-time emergency medical technician. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. As law enforcement officers approached they "observed him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound" and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. In a statement Wednesday night, Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Zachary Rich said the Board joins its colleagues in Milford in offering its "sincere condolences to the Heller Family at this unimaginably difficult time for their tragic loss. FRANKLIN TWP. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community. The Milford Merchants Association and Milford Fire Company Station 92 shared their condolences about Councilman Heller's death on social media. He was taking care of his parents, lives next door. 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WebAt around 8:30 a.m. Franklin County Sheriffs deputies and Madison Township police responded to a shooting near the 5400 block of Newport Road in the Blacklick Estates Don't miss local and statewide announcements. MILFORD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A New Jersey community is mourning a PSE&G supervisor and Milford councilman who was gunned down by an employee at work this week. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. Walter J. Gilliano, 25, of Franklinville, allegedly shot Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton, following an argument outside of Villaris Sports Bar on Coles Mill Road in Franklin Township. This event is tragic and disturbing and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. Political leaders in New Jersey reacted on social media Wednesday to news of the deadly shooting that killed Heller, echoing similar sentiments shared in response to Dwumfour's murder that acknowledged it as a devastating consequence of gun violence in the area. Milford Fire Company Station 92 said that Heller was always an advocate of the town's fire company and was always trying to improve whatever he could. Authorities have revealed new details in the shooting. Russell Heller, a 51-year-old senior distribution supervisor at the company who also served on the borough council for Milford Township in Hunterdon County, had just gotten out of his car when he was shot and killed by a former employee in the parking lot, according to investigators. Local New Jersey council member Russell Heller was shot dead in his car, exactly one week after the slaying of Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. ", "On behalf of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, we share in the collective shock and grief felt upon learning of Russell Hellers senseless shooting death today," Rich said. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. ", More:MyCentralJersey.com seeks public records in Sayreville councilwoman's killing, We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. Prosecutors did not provide details on the nature of that dispute. Investigators are trying to figure out a motive for the shooting and it is undetermined if the man or car were the intended targets, said Robertson. Curtis was tracked to a parking lot in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, within an hour of the shooting, according to police. It happened WebMission Statement: The mission of the Franklin Township Police Department is to protect and enhance the quality of life via a Community Policing Operational Philosophy, through a partnership with the community, and to promote a safe and secure environment, free from crime and the fear of crime, for all who live, work or visit our community. "The Milford Fire Company would also like to extend our condolences to the family of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). According to investigators, Heller was fatally shot by a former employee, Gary Curtis, 58, of Washington, N.J. Officials say Curtis walked up to Heller in the parking lot and shot him. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 02:59 PM PST. Officers located a Glock 19 handgun at the shooting scene and a spent .9mm bullet casing near Gillianos vehicle, police said. Anyone with information relating to this shooting is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. There were no reported injuries but police found 27 shell casings in the area, said Robertson. The prosecutor's office in Somerset County said in a statement Thursday morning that the deadly shooting was not politically motivated, CBS New York reported. According to the prosecutor's office, the shooting was due to "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor.". New alleged details about the shooting were included in an updated affidavit of probable included with the murder charge filed Wednesday. Information may also be emailed to the prosecutors office at tips@co.gloucester.nj.us. No clear motive or suspect has been identified by police in Dwumfour's death. / CBS News. "He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," the utility said. The suspect in the Russell Heller murder-suicide is 58-year-old Gary Curtis, seen here in a previous booking photo. Just a local great guy," he said. It's not yet clear if that was the person wanted in the PSE&G shooting. And Milford loved him. "I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller," the congressman wrote. "This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. WebSOMERSET, NJ - The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office has released a motive in the fatal shooting of a PSEG supervisor outside his car at the office, on Weston Canal Road Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. Russell Heller is shown in this undated photo. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. PSE&G employee who was fatally shot was a Milford councilman, Motive revealed in shooting outside PSE&G facility, 51-year-old man killed outside New Jersey PSE&G facility, Sources: Deadly shooting outside PSE&G office. Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit and investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiners Office went to the scene to conduct the investigation and determined that Curtis was the suspect. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). Local New Jersey council member Russell Heller was shot dead in his car, exactly one week after the slaying of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, according to reports. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. WebPublished Apr 5, 2021. The alleged motive was determined to be "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor," the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said in an update on Friday. Charges already filed against the alleged gunman were upgraded Wednesday to include murder, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office. Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. WebNEW BRUNSWICK, NJ Police are investigating after an 18-year-old city man was shot on the corner of Joyce Kilmer Avenue and Delavan Street. ", NEW JERSEY COUNCILWOMAN EUNICE DWUMFOUR SHOT DEAD OUTSIDE HOME IN 'DESPICABLE CRIMINAL ACT', Local New Jersey council member Russell Heller was shot dead in his car, exactly one week after the slaying of Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was found shot to death inside a car in Sayreville, New Jersey, on Feb. 1, 2023. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence," wrote New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in a tweet on Wednesday. 0:45. Stuart was remembered at the Lake House restaurant as an amazing server, friend, baker, spontaneous singer, and goofy dancer with an infectious smile! according to a Facebook post, which included several photos of him. We are very shaken by this. The governor had reposted a message shared by PSE&G. A 911 call reported gunshots being fired around No clear motive or suspect has yet been identified by police in her death. Heller was a council member in the township of Milford, near the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. "He was so full of life, its just unbelievable that hes gone. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. P.O. Police suspect it was a gang The family is struggling to deal with his death, but is focused on seeing that justice is served, Guzman said. WebSOMERSET, NJ Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting at a barbershop in the Somerset section of Franklin Township following a two Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot and killed on Feb. 1 while sitting inside her SUV outside her home, police said. MyCentralJersey.com seeks public records in Sayreville councilwoman's killing, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Kean went on call Heller "an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. 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