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. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. LAWNSIDE, N.J. - A 28-year-old Camden County woman was shot dead early Saturday and police are searching for her killer. It's not yet clear if that was the person wanted in the PSE&G shooting. "Both slain council members were elected Republicans. 'We can't rest in peace': Franklin man's 2014 antifreeze-poisoning death remains a mystery. The victim sustained a With assistance from Bridgewater officers, detectives approached the vehicle and saw he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, McDonald said. 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. 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. Curtis was reportedly a former PSE&G employee who allegedly shot Heller before taking off and driving to Bridgewater, where he killed himself. 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. 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. Hospitality Opportunities in Food Services, Housekeeping And Others! Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office). "So positive, always had a smile and always made any situation better.". 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. New alleged details about the shooting were included in an updated affidavit of probable included with the murder charge filed Wednesday. Something like this has never happened in borough history. Heller's death comes one week after the fatal shooting of Eunice Dwumfour, a Republican Councilwoman for Sayreville borough in Middlesex County. Authorities say 51-year-old Russell "I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller," the congressman wrote. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heller was first elected to the council in 2017 and again in 2020. We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation.". Stuart was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, Camden, in extreme critical condition, police said. Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. / CBS News. ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab contributed to this report. Officers were dispatched to the facility on a 911 call, the Franklin Township Police Department said in a news release. The suspect in the Russell Heller murder-suicide is 58-year-old Gary Curtis, seen here in a previous booking photo. 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. 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. NJ.com reported that the mayor of Milford, Henri Schepens, said "its just unbelievable that hes gone. 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. We are cooperating with law enforcement with respect to their investigation. Questions about the investigation should be directed to law enforcement.. Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident, and Heller was the intended target. All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The gunman was identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, who used to work for the utility company. 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. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. It remains an ongoing homicide investigation. He will be truly missed," the fire company posted on Facebook. 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. According to the prosecutor's office, the shooting was due to "prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor.". 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. Responding officers identified the victim as Russell Heller, 51, of Milford, N.J. Heller worked for PSE&G at the Somerset compound. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. My prayers are with his family and the Milford community. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. 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. There was heavy police presence following the shootings at Tunnel Way; Linden Street; Benwood Avenue near Heller was found dead from a gunshot wound, police said. He greatly enjoyed serving the residents of the town that he grew up in and was always trying to improve whatever he could. "The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens told digital news content provider NJ.com. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene along with detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department to investigate. This graphic shows the distance between the killings of local council members Russell Heller and Eunice Dwumfour in New Jersey. The PSE&G facility, the central division headquarters in Somerset, is a busy hub, but activity was brought to a standstill following the shooting. Legal Statement. The victim, a New Brunswick resident, was located in the area of Hamilton Street and Matilda Avenue by an unidentified individual and transported to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, Robertson said. The Officials have not released any details about the victim, but CBS2 has learned no one else at the facility was in danger. Russell Heller, a 51-year-old senior distribution supervisor at the company who also served on the borough council for Milford Township in Hunterdon County, had just gotten out of his car when he was shot and killed by a former employee in the parking lot, according to investigators. Officers discovered the suspect's body inside his car, which was traced to a parking lot in the neighboring township. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. 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 Kyle Mazza / AP. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Market data provided by Factset. Phil Murphy also released a statement after the shooting: "Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township. 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. The manalso suffered a non-life-threatening wound from the same shooting, police said. ", The statement went on to call the incident "tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). The PSE&G supervisor gunned down by an employee at work was a Milford Councilman in Hunterdon County, officials announced. 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. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Heller, a Republican, was first elected to the Milford Borough Council in 2017 and re-elected in 2020. 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. Walter J. Gilliano, 25, of Franklinville, allegedly shot Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton. Fox News Flash top headlines for February 9. Kean went on call Heller "an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. PSE&G said it was "heartbroken" over the death of Heller, who had been a supervisor with the company for over 11 years. Our hearts are broken but his will beat on, a relative wrote on Facebook. Heller was a hometown guy who cherished everything Milford. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). "He was so full of life, its just unbelievable that hes gone. I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. 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. 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. "At 51 years old, he had so much more to give. NORTHAMPTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police responded to a shooting at an estate in Northampton Township, Bucks County. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office along with Franklin Township Police are investigating the homicide. The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation.". PSE&G said after the shooting that they were offering support to employees and cooperating with law enforcement. He was working towards his goals. FRANKLIN (Somerset) Police are investigating after a township woman and an Edison man suffered non-life-threatening gunshot injuries Saturday night in the area of Fuller Street and Franklin Boulevard. February 28, 2023, 10:16 PM. Chopper 2 is checking out various stories and traffic around the Tri-State Area. Photo Credit: Google Maps (Street View) A school in Mckees Rocks briefly went into a lockdown when multiple agencies' police vehicles were shot at with on-duty officers inside, authorities say. "We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, senior distribution supervisor at PSE&G," the company wrote, describing Heller as "an admired employee" of more than 11 years. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. - A deadly shooting took place Wednesday morning outside the PSE&G Central Division in Franklin Township. Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this report. ", U.S. Rep. Tom Kean said in a Facebook post that he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder" of Heller. The shooting that killed Russell Heller, 51, stemmed from a workplace dispute, authorities announced Friday. 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. Russell was an admired employee and a supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. ", 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. ALSO READ | Crime increasing in area of East NY officer-involved shooting, * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. WebFRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. - A deadly shooting took place Wednesday morning outside the PSE&G Central Division in Franklin Township. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The shooting was reported about 10:40 p.m. Sunday in the 3800 block of Franklin Avenue near Magnolia Avenue, Fullerton police Lt. Tony Rios said. Authorities say 51-year-old Russell Heller was shot and killed by former employee, 58-year-old Gary Curtis, in the parking lot. Newsroom:(908) 852-7777 They call the shooting "an isolated incident," and say Heller was the intended target. The suspect in the Russell Heller murder-suicide is 58-year-old Gary Curtis, seen here in a previous booking photo. "His mother was on council for 20 years, his father was councilman and the mayor, so deeply rooted in this community," Schepens said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The CBS New York team is a group of experienced journalists who bring you the content on CBSNewYork.com. Sto-Rox Junior-Senior High School. For now, what is still unclear is what motivated the shooting. He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. The incident happened on Weston Canal Road around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. The killing comes one week after the slaying of Dwumfour, who was found dead in her vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.". MyCentralJersey.com seeks public records in Sayreville councilwoman's killing, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. All rights reserved. Our mayor and fellow council people are devastated. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene along with detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit to. 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