She was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Updated on: February 10, 2023 / 8:37 PM Officers discovered the suspect's body inside his car, which was traced to a parking lot in the neighboring township. ", 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. The gunman was identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, who used to work for the utility company. Toni Yates has the story. He was shot around 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, in the parking lot of the PSE&G Central Division headquarters building in Somerset, where he had worked as a supervisor for 11 years. Both victims went to the hospital for treatment, and the motive for the shooting remains under investigation,Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Spruill said. FRANKLIN TWP. A memorial service was held this week Eunice Dwumfour, the New Jersey councilwoman who was shot to death inside her car. PEDRICKTOWN, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A shooting at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike has prompted an investigation by the state attorney general's office. "Both slain council members were elected Republicans. "Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved," Kean tweeted. Everybody knew that if we asked where Chad was, he was probably either at the Lake House serving or working as an apprentice electrician.. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. The victim was identified as Michelle Cruz, 28, of Lawnside. He always wanted to make sure that he was living his best life and making money for the future, she said. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. PEDRICKTOWN, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A shooting at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike has prompted an investigation by the state attorney general's office. Curtis was in possession of a gun, McDonald said. Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot and killed on Feb. 1 while sitting inside her SUV outside her home, police said. Hackettstown, NJ 07840 All rights reserved. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. 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. Police have yet to arrest a suspect in Dwumfour's killing. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. He was 51 years old. He was working towards his goals. In this screen grab from a video, the scene of the shooting of N.J. councilperson Russell Heller is shown in Franklin Township, N.J., on Feb. 8, 2023. ALSO READ | Crime increasing in area of East NY officer-involved shooting, * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. In addition to these jobs, he was also a basketball coach, Guzman noted. We are very shaken by this. Chopper 2 is checking out various stories and traffic around the Tri-State Area. This event is tragic and disturbing and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. In a news release Friday afternoon, the prosecutor's office reported that investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an employment dispute. WebFranklin Township police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting victim in the parking lot of the PSE &G location around 7 a.m. Wednesday, the department said. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. Box 1000 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. Your email address will not be published. PSE&G said it was "heartbroken" over the death of Heller, who had been a supervisor with the company for over 11 years. CBS2 watched as Heller's car was towed away. The shooting was an isolated incident, the prosecutor said. Three hours later, detectives were able to track Curtis to the Bridgewater parking lot. No clear motive or suspect has been identified by police in Dwumfour's death. Our mayor and fellow council people are devastated. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. NORTHAMPTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police responded to a shooting at an estate in Northampton Township, Bucks County. Russell Heller is shown in this undated photo. 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 Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. An investigation into the deadly shooting led law enforcement to identify 58-year-old Gary Curtis, of Washington township, as the suspected gunman. 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. Kean went on call Heller "an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. 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. Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. 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 Prosecutors did not provide details on the nature of that dispute. Dwumfour -- the mother of a 12-year-old daughter and leader of her church -- was elected into office in 2021 and worked as a business analyst and part-time emergency medical technician. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Authorities say 51-year-old Russell Heller was shot and killed by former employee, 58-year-old Gary Curtis, in the parking lot. February 28, 2023, 10:16 PM. 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. Call-In:(908) 852-1234. "He was so full of life, it's just unbelievable that he's gone. Something like this has never happened in borough history. Russell Heller was fatally shot outside utility company PSE&G's Somerset Central Division Headquarters in Franklin Township, where he was the senior distribution supervisor, officials said. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). In addition to working as a server at the Lake House restaurant in Franklin Township, Stuart wanted to pursue a career as an electrician, Guzman said. WebFranklin police were dispatched about 10:33 p.m. Saturday to the Fuller Street and Franklin Boulevard on a report of a person wounded when gunshots were fired in the area. A former employee, who authorities identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, approached Heller and shot him outside of his vehicle, officials said. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. After a brief conversation, Gilliano allegedly shot Stuart in the forehead, according to the witness. Heller was a hometown guy who cherished everything Milford. He will be truly missed," the fire company posted on Facebook. PSE&G issued the following statement on the shooting: We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. He will be sorely missed by all in our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Russell Heller, 51, was shot in the parking lot of his employer on Wednesday. PSE&G said after the shooting that they were offering support to employees and cooperating with law enforcement. Phil Murphy tweeted. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. 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. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. There were no reported injuries but police found 27 shell casings in the area, said Robertson. A rising star for local Republicans who won an upset victory for her council seat in Sayreville in 2021 and an IT professional by trade, Dwumfour recently finished her first term on the Sayreville Borough Council. Sto-Rox Junior-Senior High School. Investigators believe this was an isolated incident, and that Heller was the intended target. The vehicle crashed on Burnham Road causing damage to a property and a utility pole. The PSE&G supervisor gunned down by an employee at work was a Milford Councilman in Hunterdon County, officials announced. There's another scene about a mile away at the Somerset Patriots baseball stadium parking lot. 0:00. Curtis was tracked to a parking lot in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, within an hour of the shooting, according to police. All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. WebPublished Apr 5, 2021. Authorities say Curtis then drove to another parking lot in Bridgewater Township and shot himself. The shooting that killed Russell Heller, 51, stemmed from a workplace dispute, authorities announced Friday. Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Franklin Township police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting victim in the parking lot of the PSE&G location around 7 a.m. Wednesday, the department said. Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. WebSOMERSET, NJ - The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office has released a motive in the fatal shooting of a PSEG supervisor outside his car at the office, on Weston Canal Road WebMission Statement: The mission of the Franklin Township Police Department is to protect and enhance the quality of life via a Community Policing Operational Philosophy, through a partnership with the community, and to promote a safe and secure environment, free from crime and the fear of crime, for all who live, work or visit our community. According to Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald, the shooting took place at around 7 a.m. in the parking lot of PSE&G on Weston Canal Road. Authorities investigate alleged shooting in Somerset County. All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. "He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," said PSE&G. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). It remains an ongoing homicide investigation. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are conducting the investigation. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). Three teenage boys were hospitalized Sunday night after they were wounded in what authorities believe was a gang-related act of violence. WebPEDRICKTOWN, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A shooting at a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike has prompted an investigation by the state attorney general's office. Investigators determined that a former PSE&G employee -- identified as Gary Curtis, 58, of Washington, New Jersey -- allegedly approached Heller in the parking lot and shot him while he was outside his vehicle, police said. Gilliano then called 911 and reported that he had just shot someone in the head and was in the process of performing life saving measures (CPR), police stated in the affidavit. Gilliano allegedly told Stuart and the witness that they better be gone when he returns.. CBS2 has learned more about Wednesday morning's deadly shooting at a PSE&G facility in Somerset, New Jersey. "My prayers are with his family and the Milford community.". Connecticut man killed in violent attack in West Bank, NYPD asks shop owners for help in crime fighting efforts, At least 29 dead, 85 injured after trains collide in Greece: officials.