Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After hearing something hit his car, which had another Somerset man inside, he realized that it was gunshots, said Robertson. Meanwhile, the man prosecutors believe killed Heller has been identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, a former employee. Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton, died this week of injuries he suffered in a shooting early Saturday in Franklin Township, Gloucester County. And his daughter, parents, and family are heartbroken beyond comprehension. Milford Fire Company Station 92 said that Heller was always an advocate of the town's fire company and was always trying to improve whatever he could. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Sunday, May 16, 2021, at approximately 3:58 a.m., Franklin Township Police officers were dispatched to the area of Elizabeth Street in New Brunswick for a wounded victim that was reportedly shot while in the area of Hamilton Street and Franklin Boulevard in Franklin Township. Dwumfour sustained multiple gunshot wounds in her SUV and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. "There's no words to describe the loss and sadness that this town is feeling right now, and his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens said. 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Investigators are trying to figure out a motive for the shooting and it is undetermined if the man or car were the intended targets, said Robertson. The shooting was reported about 10:40 p.m. Sunday in the 3800 block of Franklin Avenue near Magnolia Avenue, Fullerton police Lt. Tony Rios said. PSE&G called the death of Heller heartbreaking and tragic. SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - The Hampden District Attorneys Office has released new information into an officer-involved shooting in Springfield last weekend that left a 48-year-old man dead. "Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County). If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All rights reserved (About Us). Local New Jersey council member Russell Heller was shot dead in his car, exactly one week after the slaying of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, according to reports. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. WebSOMERSET, NJ Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting at a barbershop in the Somerset section of Franklin Township following a two He was one of four kids, said his younger sister, Mikaela Guzman, who recalled her brother for his great sense of humor and strong work ethic. WebBUENA VISTA, New Jersey (WPVI) -- The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has identified the man who was shot and killed by police after allegedly stealing an officer's 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. WebGet breaking Hunterdon County NJ local news, weather, events, sports and more from Flemington, Clinton, Lambertville, Lebanon, Raritan and others. "Both slain council members were elected Republicans. Box 1000 February 28, 2023, 10:16 PM. All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. Heller was last elected in 2020, Dwumfour to her first term in 2021," according to NJ.com. NJ.com reported that the mayor of Milford, Henri Schepens, said "its just unbelievable that hes gone. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene along with detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department to investigate. Russell was an admired employee anda supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. He was 51 years old. Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. He will be sorely missed by all in our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. No clear motive or suspect has been identified by police in Dwumfour's death. Russell D. Heller, 51, of Milford, was approached outside his vehicle in the PSE&G parking lot at about 7 a.m., by former PSE&G employee Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, Warren County, who then shot him, Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald said. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Russell Heller, a 51-year-old senior distribution supervisor at the company who also served on the borough council for Milford Township in Hunterdon County, had just gotten out of his car when he was shot and killed by a former employee in the parking lot, according to investigators. Market data provided by Factset. Sources say a man found there died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Your email address will not be published. February 28, 2023, 10:16 PM. He died Tuesday night, according to his family. WebAt around 8:30 a.m. Franklin County Sheriffs deputies and Madison Township police responded to a shooting near the 5400 block of Newport Road in the Blacklick Estates Anyone with information relating to this shooting is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. WebFRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. - A deadly shooting took place Wednesday morning outside the PSE&G Central Division in Franklin Township. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100,the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. This graphic shows the distance between the killings of local council members Russell Heller and Eunice Dwumfour in New Jersey. The vehicle was covered with a blue tarp for much of the afternoon as investigators in hazmat suits went in and out of the car. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Hospitality Opportunities in Food Services, Housekeeping And Others! - The mother of a man shot outside a local bar said her family has been changed forever by his death. "The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens said in a statement. The utility company has not given any indication about what, if any, working relationship he and Curtis had, according to PIX 11. Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this report. New Jersey leaders are mourning the loss of a councilman who was killed in what police said was a targeted workplace shooting on Wednesday. Homeschool Athletes Now Allowed To Play Ball In Hillsborough, Delayed Opening For Hillsborough Schools Due To Impending Snow, Sign Up Now: Portrait Oil Painting Workshop May 19 - 21 with Tina Garrett, Hoboken's Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl, Now Hiring!! Family and friends are mourning Stuart and demanding justice. "Russell was a dedicated and valuable member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community whose leadership and commitment will be sorely missed.More importantly, however, Russell was a loving and caring father to his daughter and a dedicated and loyal friend to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. The victim, a township woman, suffered a gunshot wound while walkingto a home during a party, police said. MILFORD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A New Jersey community is mourning a PSE&G supervisor and Milford councilman who was gunned down by an employee at work this week. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The victim was identified as Michelle Cruz, 28, of Lawnside. Once Villaris closed, which was around 2 a.m., a witness said he remained in the parking lot with Stuart and Gilliano and that a verbal altercation began, according to the affidavit. Charges already filed against the alleged gunman were upgraded Wednesday to include murder, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office. I think the only thing thats keeping us together is going through the whole investigation process and making sure that we get justice for my brother, she said. According to the prosecutor's office, the shooting was due to "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor.". NORTHAMPTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police responded to a shooting at an estate in Northampton Township, Bucks County. Walter J. Gilliano, 25, of Franklinville, allegedly shot Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton, following an argument outside of Villaris Sports Bar on Coles Mill Road in Franklin Township. "So positive, always had a smile and always made any situation better.". Legal Statement. FRANKLIN, NJ Authorities are investigating a shooting where 27 shell casings were found in Franklin on Wednesday night. According to investigators, Heller was fatally shot by a former employee, Gary Curtis, 58, of Washington, N.J. Officials say Curtis walked up to Heller in the parking lot and shot him. "The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens added. Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office along with Franklin Township Police are investigating the homicide. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. We are cooperating with law-enforcement respect to their investigation.". The incident happened on Weston Canal Road around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit and investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiners Office went to the scene to conduct the investigation and determined that Curtis was the suspect. "We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G," the company wrote, describing Heller as "an admired employee" of more than 11 years. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, according to the police department. He was taking care of his parents, lives next door. Walter J. Gilliano, 25, of Franklinville, allegedly shot Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton. "This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. "He was so full of life, it's just unbelievable that he's gone. Sto-Rox Junior-Senior High School. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. FRANKLINVILLE, N.J. - A man is dead and two people are injured after a car crashed and flipped on its side early Sunday morning in Gloucester County. Multiple 911 calls started coming in just after 7 a.m. Wednesday reported a person had been shot at the PSE&G facility in Franklin Township, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said. CBS2 watched as Heller's car was towed away. or redistributed. Gilliano allegedly told Stuart and the witness that they better be gone when he returns.. Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. The CBS New York team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSNewYork.com. Kean went on call Heller "an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. Information may also be emailed to the prosecutors office at tips@co.gloucester.nj.us. When they arrived, the responding officers found Heller had suffered a gunshot wound and already succumbed to his injuries. 207. MyCentralJersey.com seeks public records in Sayreville councilwoman's killing, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. ", The Hunterdon County Republican Party said in a statement that Heller was "a dedicated and valuable member of the Milford and Hunterdon County community whose leadership and commitment will be sorely missed," adding that he was a "loving and caring father to his daughter and a dedicated and loyal friend to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Call-In:(908) 852-1234. ", More:MyCentralJersey.com seeks public records in Sayreville councilwoman's killing, We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. "He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," said PSE&G. Were all really, really hurt and trying to process it. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident, and Heller was the intended target. The suspect in the Russell Heller murder-suicide is 58-year-old Gary Curtis, seen here in a previous booking photo. Published Apr 5, 2021. Just a local great guy," he said. Heller, 51, was found shot dead outside his car, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Our journalism needs your support. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Heller's death comes one week after the fatal shooting of Eunice Dwumfour, a Republican Councilwoman for Sayreville borough in Middlesex County. Three teenage boys were hospitalized Sunday night after they were wounded in what authorities believe was a gang-related act of violence. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. All Rights Reserved. Phil Murphy also released a statement after the shooting: "Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Detectives were able to track down the suspects Mercedes-Benz parked a few miles away at the Bridgewater train station, where it was discovered that the shooter had taken his own life, police said. Believe was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough ( Hunterdon County ) as 58-year-old Gary,. Suv and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, according to the Office. Already succumbed to his injuries for breaking News, live events, and we are cooperating law-enforcement. J. Gilliano, 25, of Clayton Division in Franklin Township police Department to investigate according to police in. Was last elected in 2020, Dwumfour to her first term in,... Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was the intended target already succumbed to his injuries unlimited. 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