Suspect arrested in murder of Republican NJ councilwoman outside her home

A 28-year-old Virginia man has been arrested in connection with the February murder of a Republican New Jersey Councilwoman. Rashid Ali Bynum allegedly shot and killed Eunice Dwumfour, 30, outside her home.

Bynum, a resident of Portsmouth, was apprehended in Chesapeake City, Virginia on Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder. While authorities believed the shooting to be targeted, no motive has been revealed.

According to the New York Post, Bynum is currently being held in his home state awaiting extradition to New Jersey. Upon arrival, he will be taken to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional facility until his pre-trial detention hearing takes place at the state Superior Court.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone explained that authorities were able to track Bynum down after locating his cellphone and white Hyundai near the murder scene and matching his description with information provided by witnesses.

She noted that Bynum and Dwunfour knew one another, and that he was saved in her phone next to the acronym "FCF," short for the Fire Congress Fellowship church that the councilwoman, who was also a pastor, had been a member of.

"The murder has shaken the community, and no arrest will bring back the late councilwoman," Ciccone said. "However, I do trust that justice will be found through the criminal justice process."

Bynum allegedly shot at Dwumfour numerous times as she sat in her vehicle outside the Camelot at La Mer apartment complex in Sayreville, New Jersey. While she bled to death, he fled the scene.

In a statement following the incident, Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick said, "the community is shocked and saddened at the loss of Eunice Dwumfour, who was a dedicated member of our Borough Council who was truly committed to serve all of our residents."

"The fact that she was taken from us by a despicable criminal act makes this incident all the more horrifying."

Her 12-year-old daughter was in their home just steps away when the shooting took place.