MILFORD, NJ – A second New Jersey councilman was shot and killed inside their vehicle. A week after Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfor was shot and killed inside her car outside her home, Milford Councilman Russel Heller was shot and killed outside his workplace in the parking lot of PSE&G in Franklin Township.
Police are investigating the possible murder-suicide involving two PSE&G workers in Franklin Township. According to police Gary T. Curtis, 58, of Washington Township, shot and killed Russell D. Heller, 51 of Milford in the PSE&G Parking lot on Weston Canal Road in Somerset.
Police reported the shooting occurred at around 7 am on Wednesday. When police arrived, they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Heller was rushed to a regional trauma center by EMS. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Curtis is an ex-employee of PSE&G. The terms of his dismissal are unknown, but he was described today as a disgruntled former employee.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said Heller was actively employed with PSEG at the Somerset facility.
After identifying Curtis as the gunman, police tracked him to a parking lot in Bridgewater Township.
“At approximately 10:20 a.m., detectives assigned to the investigation were able to track Mr. Curtis to a parking lot area in Bridgewater Township,” Prosecutor McDonald said in a statement today. “With the assistance of Bridgewater Township Police Officers, authorities approached the vehicle Mr. Curtis was operating and observed him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Mr. Curtis was in possession of a firearm.”
“Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller’s family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said.
Medical personnel were requested to the scene, but Curtis was pronounced deceased.
“The investigation remains ongoing to determine motive,” McDonald added. “Preliminary investigation has revealed that the shooting was an isolated incident and Mr. Heller was the intended target.”
The relationship between Heller and Curtis is unknown at this time.
While Heller’s killer was quickly found, police in Sayreville have yet to announce any progress in the Dwumfour killing.
Anyone with information relating to the homicide to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100.