Police say as he was coming to work on Wednesday, he was gunned down next to his car. Curtis was tracked to a parking lot area in Bridgewater Township where he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 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In a statement Wednesday night, Hunterdon County Commissioner Director Zachary Rich said the Board joins its colleagues in Milford in offering its "sincere condolences to the Heller Family at this unimaginably difficult time for their tragic loss. ", Rep. Tom Kean Jr. said he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. 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. Russell Heller is shown in this undated photo. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. "Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. We are very shaken by this. 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. As law enforcement officers approached they "observed him suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound" and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. WebThe 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. Something like this has never happened in borough history. After a brief conversation, Gilliano allegedly shot Stuart in the forehead, according to the witness. Franklin 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. 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. The witness said he ran for safety because he feared he would be shot next, according to the affidavit. New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean, whose district includes parts of Somerset County, where Franklin township is located, praised Heller in another message shared onTwitter after his death. CBS2 has learned more about Wednesday morning's deadly shooting at a PSE&G facility in Somerset, New Jersey. When they arrived, the responding officers found Heller had suffered a gunshot wound and already succumbed to his injuries. "This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. Something like this has never happened in borough history. She expressed appreciation for the support the family has received from all of those who knew her brother. Fox News Flash top headlines for February 9. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene along with detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department to investigate. Anyone with additional information about the shooting is asked to contact prosecutors office Detective Eric Bailey at 856-384-5685 or Franklin Township Police Detective Alex Fragoso at 856-694-1415, ext. Information may also be emailed to the prosecutors office at tips@co.gloucester.nj.us. FRANKLIN TWP. Gilliano allegedly told Stuart and the witness that they better be gone when he returns.. Dwumfour sustained multiple gunshot wounds in her SUV and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Authorities say 51-year-old Russell Heller was shot and killed by former employee, 58-year-old Gary Curtis, in the parking lot. Officers discovered the suspect's body inside his car, which was traced to a parking lot in the neighboring township. 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. Market data provided by Factset. WebFRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ Officials added a murder charge against a Marine Corps reservist accused of fatally shooting another man in the forehead outside a Franklin Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Others are remembering Heller as a perfect gentleman and committed councilman. Here's the latest for Monday October 4th: Southern California oil spill cleanup underway; President Biden promotes legislative agenda; Communication lines between North and South Korea reopen; New York City public school worker vaccine mandate begins. MyCentralJersey.com seeks public records in Sayreville councilwoman's killing, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Gov. Questions about the investigation should be directed to law enforcement.. Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. After Gilliano told police that he shot Stuart, he was taken into custody and initially charged with attempted murder and other offenses. Heller leaves behind a 19-year-old daughter and was one of seven siblings. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. "The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation.". "Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County). 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!! WebGov. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are conducting the investigation. Heller was first elected to the council in 2017 and again in 2020. He will be truly missed," the fire company posted on Facebook. 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. Chad was really funny, she said Wednesday. ", "Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved," Kean said. Prosecutors did not provide details on the nature of that dispute. All employees are safe and there's no further danger, sources say. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). Officers located a Glock 19 handgun at the shooting scene and a spent .9mm bullet casing near Gillianos vehicle, police said. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. The prosecutor's office in Somerset County said in a statement Thursday morning that the deadly shooting was not politically motivated, CBS New York reported. The bar was closed at the time of the incident, business operators confirmed. "This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this," PSE&G said in a statement. February 28, 2023, 10:16 PM. 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. Walter J. Gilliano, 25, of Franklinville, allegedly shot Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton. Market data provided by Factset. A Somerset man said he was driving north on Phillips Road toward Baier Avenue when he heard multiple "pops," which he initially thought were fireworks, according to Robertson. Something like this has never happened in borough history. 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. Have a news tip? Heller was a council member in the township of Milford, near the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Hospitality Opportunities in Food Services, Housekeeping And Others! Heller was a Milford Borough councilman and PSE&G supervisor for the past 11 years. Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County). The manalso suffered a non-life-threatening wound from the same shooting, police said. "He was so full of life, it's just unbelievable that he's gone. Published Apr 5, 2021. Anyone who knew Russ found him to be a joy to be around We surround you with our love and prayers," the merchants association posted. "Both slain council members were elected Republicans. Sources tell CBS2 this was a homicide and one man is dead. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. It's not yet clear if that was the person wanted in the PSE&G shooting. 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. The Franklin Township Police Department and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office found the victim dead from a gunshot wound. A borough councilperson was fatally shot in New Jersey this week, marking thesecond attack in seven days where an act of gun violence resulted in the death of a local elected official in the state. He was 51 years old. Heller, 51, was also a councilman in Milford, a small borough in Hunterdon County. A man shot in the head early Saturday outside of a closed bar in Gloucester County has died of his injuries, authorities confirmed Wednesday. We are very shaken by this. Curtis was tracked to a parking lot in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey, within an hour of the shooting, according to police. Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot and killed on Feb. 1 while sitting inside her SUV outside her home, police said. 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 & 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. Chopper 2 is checking out various stories and traffic around the Tri-State Area. 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. The victim, a township woman, suffered a gunshot wound while walkingto a home during a party, police said. No clear motive or suspect has yet been identified by police in her death. To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. 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. The victim sustained a 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. Call-In:(908) 852-1234. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community. The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation.". FRANKLIN (Somerset) A PSE&G employee, who was also a Republican borough councilman in the Hunterdon County community of Milford, was fatally shot Wednesday morning in the parking lot of the utilitys facility on Weston Canal Road. We hope these memories bring a smile as we grieve and heal together, the post concluded. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Kyle Mazza / AP. "At 51 years old, he had so much more to give. The prosecutor's office believes it was a homicide. All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. Authorities say Curtis later died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Anyone with information relating to the shooting 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. Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident, and Heller was the intended target. In addition to these jobs, he was also a basketball coach, Guzman noted. They call the shooting "an isolated incident," and say Heller was the intended target. 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. Dwumfour, 30, was the first Black person elected to office in the township on the state's eastern edge. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, according to the police department. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. ", In a statement to NBC New York, PSE&G said "We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. The victim was identified as Michelle Cruz, 28, of Lawnside. Heller was last elected in 2020, Dwumfour to her first term in 2021," according to NJ.com. The shooting was an isolated incident, the prosecutor said. Legal Statement. There were no reported injuries but police found 27 shell casings in the area, said Robertson. Meanwhile, the man prosecutors believe killed Heller has been identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, a former employee. Officials have not released any details about the victim, but CBS2 has learned no one else at the facility was in danger. And Milford loved him. Investigators say a man was shot to death Wednesday morning in the parking lot of PSE&G's Central Division headquarters in Franklin Township. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. Family and friends are mourning Stuart and demanding justice. 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. ", "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. 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