A Republican New Jersey council member has been shot dead, exactly one week following the fatal shooting of GOP Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour.
51-year-old Milford Councilman Russell Heller was found dead on Wednesday just after 7 am in the Somerset parking lot of the local energy company PSE&G where Heller worked, according to the New York Post.
Police identified 58-year-old former employee Gary Curtis as the suspect, and discovered him dead in his car from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say he shot himself around three and a half hours after he allegedly shot Heller.
The fatal shooting of Heller comes exactly one week after Sayreville Councilwoman Dwumfour was fatally shot in her SUV outside her home. Heller was found dead around 15 miles from where Dwumfour’s body was discovered.
Authorities have not connected the shootings, with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office saying that the shooting of Heller was an "isolated incident" and he was the "intended target."
PSE&G issued a statement expressing their sorrow, writing, "We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distributor supervisor at PSE&G. Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G."
"He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this," the statement continued. "We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation."
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote on Twitter, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence."
GOP Rep. Tom Kean of New Jersey wrote, I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community."
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