What on earth is happening in New Jersey right now? We had a Republican politician executed in front of his house last week and now we’re hearing that another Republican has been murdered…that makes two Republican politicians in one week. What’s going on?
The New York Post reported that a member of a New Jersey municipality was shot to death in his car on Wednesday, just one week after the unsolved killing of Councilwoman Eunice Dumfour.
Russell Heller, 51, was found dead shortly after 7 a.m. in the Somerset parking lot of local power company PSE&G where the Milford Republican worked.
Police quickly identified a former employee, Gary Curtis, 58, as a suspect – and found him dead in his car from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound about three and a half hours after the murder.
Just one week after the councilman’s murder, Sayreville Councilwoman Dumfour — also a Republican — was shot to death in her SUV outside her home about 15 miles away. His murder remains unsolved.
Authorities have not linked the crime, and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office emphasized that Heller’s killing appeared to be “an isolated incident” and was not related to his elected office or political affiliation.
“The investigation continues to determine the motive,” the prosecutor’s office said, stressing that “Hela had a motive.”
Gov. Phil Murphy sent “thoughts and prayers” to Heller’s “family and friends in the wake of this tragic incident of gun violence.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ), whose district includes the area, said he was “shocked and saddened by the tragic killing” of his fellow Republican.
“Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented his beloved river city,” Kane tweeted.
Milford Mayor Henry Schepens told NJ.com that “Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by this loss and our hearts go out to his family.”
Heller “was so full of life, it’s unbelievable that he’s gone,” the mayor said.
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