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Who was Russell Heller? NJ councilman found dead from gunshot wounds in car was said to be 'full of life'

The councilor, who represents Milford, was discovered dead inside the vehicle by police who received many calls on Wednesday, February 8

SOMERSET NEW JERSEY: A New Jersey councilman was discovered dead from gunshot wounds in a car, This is the second killing of a counselor in just a week. In a statement issued by the Somerset County prosecutor's office, councilman Russell Heller, 51, was shot while he was in his car in the parking area of the PSE&G facility in Somerset County.

The councilor, who represents Milford, was discovered dead inside the vehicle by police after receiving many 911 calls on Wednesday, according to the statement. According to the prosecutor's office, police named the shooter as 58-year-old former worker Gary T Curtis.

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Heller appeared to be 'an isolated incident' 

Eunice Dwumfour, 30, Republican and councilwoman for Sayreville, Dwumfour, was shot and killed outside her house about 15 miles away in an SUV. Her murder has not been solved. The crimes, however, have not been linked by the authorities, and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office claimed that the murder of Heller appeared to be "an isolated incident,"  New York Post reported. “The investigation remains ongoing to determine a motive,” the prosecutor’s office said while stressing that “Heller was the intended target.”

"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," Governor Phil Murphy wrote on Twitter, sending his thoughts to the family. 

'We are heartbroken'

"We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G. Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G," the PSE&G wrote on Twitter. "He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. This event is tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation."

'He was so full of life'

After learning about Heller’s death, the mayor of Milford Borough said the community was “shaken.” “He was so full of life, it’s just unbelievable that he’s gone,” Mayor Henri Schepens said in a statement posted on the Milford Merchants Association Facebook page. “The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family,” Schepens said. “Something like this has never happened in borough history. We are very shaken by this.”