Fatal Shooting Of NJ Councilman 'Not Politically Connected': Prosecutor

MILFORD, NJ — PSE&G employee Russell D. Heller, 51, of Milford, who was fatally shot by a former employee in Somerset on Wednesday, was a Republican councilman in Milford.

This shooting marks the second councilperson to be fatally shot in the past week. Sayreville Republican Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was fatally shot inside her car near her home on Feb. 1.

"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," said Congressman Tom Kean Jr. in a tweet.

Investigators with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office along with Franklin Township Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances which led to the homicide shooting of Heller on Wednesday in Franklin Township, said Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief Frank Roman Jr. on Thursday morning.

"Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County). The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliations," said Roman.

Zachary T. Rich, Director, Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners also issued a statement regarding Heller's death:

“On behalf of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, we share in the collective shock and grief felt upon learning of Russell Heller’s senseless shooting death today.
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. We join our colleagues in Milford in offering our most sincere heartfelt condolences to the Heller Family at this unimaginably difficult time for their tragic loss.”

Bob Hugin, Chairman of the New Jersey Republican State Committee (NJGOP) released the following statement:

"It is with great sadness and shock that we offer our condolences to the family of Milford Councilman Russell Heller — an outstanding public servant and devoted father,” said Hugin.He continued, “To see the lives of not one but two community leaders cut tragically short within one week is unimaginably distressing. As we mourn these losses, we are particularly praying for justice and answers in the unsolved murder of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. May God bless both of their memories."

Police said on Feb. 8, Heller was actively employed with PSE&G at the Somerset facility when a former employee of PSE&G, whom authorities identified as Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington, fatally shot him in the parking lot on Weston Canal Road. Read More: Murder-Suicide Of PSE&G Employees Under Investigation In Somerset Co.

Franklin Township Police Officers found a dead adult man, later identified as Heller, suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Personnel from an area Trauma Center was pronounced the man dead, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

The shooting was reported around 7 a.m. Then at around 10:20 a.m., detectives were able to track Curtis to a parking lot area in Bridgewater Township.

With the help of Bridgewater Township Police Officers, authorities went up to Curtis' vehicle and saw him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the report.

Curtis had a firearm in his possession, said McDonald. Medical personnel pronounced Curtis dead at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing to determine a motive. A preliminary investigation found that the shooting was an isolated incident and Heller was the intended target.

Anyone with information relating to the homicide 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.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

• Related: Sayreville Councilwoman Shot, Killed Inside Car Wednesday

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