Second New Jersey Republican council member killed – One America News Network

February 9, 2023 Roy Frances US 0

TOPSHOT - Police officers are seen at the intersection of US 101 freeway and the Moorpark Rad exit as police vehicles close off the area responding to a shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California on November 8, 2018. - Twelve people, including a police sergeant, were shot dead in a shooting at a nighttclub close to Los Angeles, police said Thursday. All the victims were killed inside the bar in the suburb of Thousand Oaks late on Wednesday, including the officer who had been called to the scene, Sheriff Geoff Dean told reporters. The gunman was also dead at the scene, Dean added. The bar was hosting a college country music night. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) — Police officers are seen at the intersection of US 101 freeway and the Moorpark Rad exit.(Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Roy Francis
10:46 AM PT – Thursday, February 9, 2023

Local New Jersey council member Russell Heller was found shot dead in his car a week after the murder of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour.

Another NJ councilman was shot dead just a week after slaying of Eunice Dwumfour.

Russell Heller, 51, was found dead just after 7 a.m. in the Somerset parking lot of PSE&G, the local energy company where the Milford Republican worked.

What is going on with NJ? pic.twitter.com/A5Su8mo9SA

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) February 9, 2023

The 51-year-old was found shot to death outside of his car at the PSE&G facility in Franklin Township around 7 a.m. on Wednesday.

The councilman had been with the company for 11 years, working as a senior distribution supervisor, as well as a councilman in Milford a small town in Hunterdon County.

“The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family,” Milford Mayor Henri Schepens said. “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 suspect in the shooting was identified as 52-year-old Gary Curtis. He was found around 10:20 a.m. dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a car in Bridgewater.

Reports suggested that Curtis was a former PSE&G employee who had allegedly shot Heller, then drove to Bridgewater, where he took his own life.

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. https://t.co/KITkU4G4aS

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 8, 2023

Police are searching for a motive behind Heller’s killing. The utility company has not made any comments regarding the relationship between Heller and Curtis.

The murder-suicide comes exactly one week after the shooting of councilwoman Dwumfour, where no clear motive or suspect have been identified.

Police, however, do not believe that the two murders are connected.

Republican councilman Russell Heller has been shot dead in his car in New Jersey. This comes exactly one week after Republican councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot dead in her car miles away.

— Kambree (@KamVTV) February 9, 2023

Both council members were Republicans. Heller was re-elected in 2020, while Dwumfour had been elected to her first term in 2021.

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