OPINION | This article contains opinion. This site is licensed to publish this content.
Two elected Republicans in New Jersey were shot and killed exactly one week apart.
Council member Russell Heller, 51, was shot dead in his car. Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot multiple times and killed while sitting in her SUV. She was a rising star in the Republican Party at age 30.
BREAKING: Another New Jersey Republican council member Russell Heller (left) shot dead in his car, exactly one week after the slaying of Republican Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. The suspect (right) then killed himself. What is happening in New Jersey? pic.twitter.com/0X11kvkvp1
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) February 9, 2023
The FBI and local police have identified their suspect as 58-year-old Gary Curtis who was found dead inside his own car from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Milford Mayor Henri Schepens responded, “The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family. 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.”
#NewJerseyHorrors
NJ Councilman Russell Heller shot dead just a week after slaying of Eunice Dwumfour…
Couldn't find info on Google..only @nypost reported..guess why …
🕊 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/cahv7AXBJw— Veronica 🇺🇸 Persistence 🇺🇸 Resilience 🇺🇸 (@bindyb123) February 9, 2023
Heller was a senior distribution supervisor at a PSE&G facility and had been with the company for 11 years.
Police are still searching for a motive. Curtis was a former PSE&G employee.
2nd #NewJersey Councilmember killed. #RussellHeller was shot by co-worker at utility company they worked for. After Gary Curtis killed Heller, he killed himself. Councilwoman #EuniceDwumfour was executed outside her home last week, killer still at large. #truecrime #USA pic.twitter.com/9WLExJOqZc
— Nathan Adams (@NateAdams5k) February 9, 2023
Investigators say these attacks were targeted.
“Both slain council members were elected Republicans. Heller was last elected in 2020, Dwumfour to her first term in 2021,” according to NJ.com.
Police have not identified a suspect in the murder of Dwumfour, who was the mother of a 12-year-old daughter and leader of her church.
No arrests have been made. Police have not disclosed a motive or revealed if they have identified a suspect.
Detectives have her phone and are reportedly looking at every aspect of her life, including personal, professional, religious.
The shooting occurred after Dwumfour had just dropped someone off at her townhome. The assailant approached on foot.
In addition to being elected into office in 2021, Dwumfour worked as a business analyst and part-time emergency medical technician.
