He was brutally honest and he was always the life of the party, making people laugh, cracking jokes all the time.. The victim was identified as Michelle Cruz, 28, of Lawnside. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.". Russell was an admired employee anda supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. All Rights Reserved. Required fields are marked *. According to the prosecutor's office, the shooting was due to "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor.". Prosecutor: Gunman Surrenders In Franklin Township Shooting That Injured New Brunswick Man by Cecilia Levine A 45-year-old Somerset County man surrendered to authorities on attempted murder and weapons charges in connection with a May 31 shooting, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office announced Read More Police & ALSO READ | Crime increasing in area of East NY officer-involved shooting, * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. 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 manalso suffered a non-life-threatening wound from the same shooting, police said. February 28, 2023, 10:16 PM. NORTHAMPTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police responded to a shooting at an estate in Northampton Township, Bucks County. Have a news tip? WebGov. Our WebRoy Jackel Jr., 42, of Cape May Court House: A Franklin Township, Gloucester County, police officer shot Jackel on April 5, 2021, in Buena Vista after he ran toward police with "The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens added. Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. He was a really hard worker. Local New Jersey council member Russell Heller was shot dead in his car, exactly one week after the slaying of Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. ", "On behalf of the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, we share in the collective shock and grief felt upon learning of Russell Hellers senseless shooting death today," Rich said. Authorities say Curtis then drove to another parking lot in Bridgewater Township and shot himself. The family is struggling to deal with his death, but is focused on seeing that justice is served, Guzman said. WebFRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) Authorities are investigating into a shooting that may have occurred in the area of Hamilton Street on Monday night in We are very shaken by this.". It's not yet clear if that was the person wanted in the PSE&G shooting. Just a local great guy," he said. Gilliano allegedly told Stuart and the witness that they better be gone when he returns.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was found in her SUV outside a Sayreville apartment complex with multiple gunshot wounds, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said; she was pronounced dead on scene. This graphic shows the distance between the killings of local council members Russell Heller and Eunice Dwumfour in New Jersey. Officers responded to the scene around 4:45 a.m. Saturday and found Gilliano rendering aid to Stuart, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by police. No clear motive or suspect has been identified by police in Dwumfour's death. The PSE&G supervisor gunned down by an employee at work was a Milford Councilman in Hunterdon County, officials announced. "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. Authorities say the murder was not politically motivated. 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. Curtis was reportedly a former PSE&G employee who allegedly shot Heller before taking off and driving to Bridgewater, where he killed himself. Police say the victim was shot in the parking lot. Our hearts are broken but his will beat on, a relative wrote on Facebook. 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. PSE&G called the death of Heller heartbreaking and tragic. The Milford Merchants Association also released a statement: "There simply are no words for the tragedy that took place yesterday as our well-loved, kind, hardworking councilman was killed as he arrived at work. WebWalter 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. A handgun revolver recovered from the scene was legally registered to Curtis, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. 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. "My prayers are with his family and the Milford community.". Something like this has never happened in borough history. The alleged motive was determined to be "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor," the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said in an update on Friday. Police suspect it was a gang Stuart was an organ donor, the family noted, and his heart, lungs, kidney, liver and arteries were donated on Tuesday. Heller was a hometown guy who cherished everything Milford. 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 TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) Authorities are investigating into a shooting that may have occurred in the area of Hamilton Street on Monday night in Franklin Township, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson. This event is tragic and disturbing and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. 'We can't rest in peace': Franklin man's 2014 antifreeze-poisoning death remains a mystery. Get Directions, Phone:(908) 850-1000 WebA borough councilperson was fatally shot in New Jersey this week, marking the second attack in seven days where an act of gun violence resulted in the death of a local elected "He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," said PSE&G. The shooting was an isolated incident, the prosecutor said. 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. Three hours later, detectives were able to track Curtis to the Bridgewater parking lot. After a brief conversation, Gilliano allegedly shot Stuart in the forehead, according to the witness. "Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved," Kean tweeted. WebNEW BRUNSWICK, NJ Police are investigating after an 18-year-old city man was shot on the corner of Joyce Kilmer Avenue and Delavan Street. He was found a mile away in a parking lot inside his SUV, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. Heller's death comes one week after the fatal shooting of Eunice Dwumfour, a Republican Councilwoman for Sayreville borough in Middlesex County. "The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation.". YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton, died this week of injuries he suffered in a shooting early Saturday in Franklin Township, Gloucester County. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. Gilliano left the area, then returned and brandished a firearm, the witness told police. Kyle Mazza / AP. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are conducting the investigation. Gilliano remains in Salem County Correctional Facility and is due back in court this week for a detention hearing. Heller was a Milford Borough councilman and PSE&G supervisor for the past 11 years. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Suspect, 18, charged with murder in Temple University officer's shooting death, DA says. NJ.com reported that the mayor of Milford, Henri Schepens, said "its just unbelievable that hes gone. We are cooperating with law-enforcement respect to their investigation.". Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. At a memorial held in her honor this week, Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick praised her former colleague and friend as a figure who "broke through that glass ceiling" and "confidently, with class and dignity, walked proudly to her seat on the dais in her signature sparkling high heels." Hackettstown, NJ 07840 All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. "Both slain council members were elected Republicans. Sto-Rox Junior-Senior High School. "Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County). There was heavy police presence following the shootings at Tunnel Way; Linden Street; Benwood Avenue near If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The suspect in the Russell Heller murder-suicide is 58-year-old Gary Curtis, seen here in a previous booking photo. 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. "At 51 years old, he had so much more to give. (Fox News). After Gilliano told police that he shot Stuart, he was taken into custody and initially charged with attempted murder and other offenses. The bar was closed at the time of the incident, business operators confirmed. ", 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. 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 The incident happened on Weston Canal Road around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. James Ricky Meade II, 26, of Chesterhill, Morgan County, pleaded guilty in Franklin County Common Pleas Court in December to one count of inciting to violence. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. PSE&G said it was "heartbroken" over the death of Heller, who had been a supervisor with the company for over 11 years. He was working towards his goals. The shooting that killed Russell Heller, 51, stemmed from a workplace dispute, authorities announced Friday. Russ was always an advocate of our small town's fire company. Police are still searching for a motive for Heller's killing. Phil Murphy tweeted. Sources tell CBS2 this was a homicide and one man is dead. Political leaders in New Jersey reacted on social media Wednesday to news of the deadly shooting that killed Heller, echoing similar sentiments shared in response to Dwumfour's murder that acknowledged it as a devastating consequence of gun violence in the area. Anyone with information 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. (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office). My prayers are with his family and the Milford community. Investigators determined that the shooting was not connected with Heller's "elected office or political affiliation," Deputy Chief Frank Roman Jr. with the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Thursday. Heller leaves behind a 19-year-old daughter and was one of seven siblings. Everybody knew that if we asked where Chad was, he was probably either at the Lake House serving or working as an apprentice electrician.. 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. Market data provided by Factset. We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation. This was the second councilperson to die by gun violence within a week in the Garden State. While conducting theirinvestigation, detectives were notified of a second victim, an Edison man who went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. 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. Meanwhile, the man prosecutors believe killed Heller has been identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, a former employee. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 02:59 PM PST. Box 1000 A homicide investigation revealed the motive behind the deadly shooting outside the PSE&G facility in New Jersey. He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time, PSE&G said in a statement. Investigators say a man was shot to death Wednesday morning in the parking lot of PSE&G's Central Division headquarters in Franklin Township. A former employee, who authorities identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, approached Heller and shot him outside of his vehicle, officials said. "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. For the second time in a week, a local New Jersey council member was shot and killed, according to officials, this time in what police said appeared to be a murder-suicide by a former employee at a PSE&G facility. FRANKLIN, NJ Authorities are investigating a shooting where 27 shell casings were found in Franklin on Wednesday night. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. 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. Police called to the scene found 51-year-old Senior Distribution Supervisor Russell Heller dead from a gunshot wound in the parking lot outside the facility. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Reports say he was a senior distribution supervisor who had been with the company for 11 years, and a councilman in Milford, a small borough in Hunterdon County. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. 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