All rights reserved. Authorities are asking anyone with information relating to the homicide 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. Suspect, 18, charged with murder in Temple University officer's shooting death, DA says. The PSE&G supervisor gunned down by an employee at work was a Milford Councilman in Hunterdon County, officials announced. 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. 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. New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean said he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder" of Heller. The bar was closed at the time of the incident, business operators confirmed. There's another scene about a mile away at the Somerset Patriots baseball stadium parking lot. "He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," the utility said. At least 12 more people were shot in the melee on East Commerce Street in Fairfield Township around 11:50 p.m. Saturday. Russell Heller is shown in this undated photo. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Your email address will not be published. Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). 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. Phil Murphy tweeted. "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. Heller was a Milford Borough councilman and PSE&G supervisor for the past 11 years. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Please enter valid email address to continue. The manalso suffered a non-life-threatening wound from the same shooting, police said. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 02:59 PM PST. He greatly enjoyed serving the residents of the town that he grew up in and was always trying to improve whatever he could. Meanwhile, the man prosecutors believe killed Heller has been identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, a former employee. Officers discovered the suspect's body inside his car, which was traced to a parking lot in the neighboring township. - The mother of a man shot outside a local bar said her family has been changed forever by his death. 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. We are very shaken by this.". He was a really hard worker. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). 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 "Investigators have confirmed that Mr. Heller was a Republican Councilman for Milford Borough (Hunterdon County)," the statement read, according to CBS New York. Three teenage boys were hospitalized Sunday night after they were wounded in what authorities believe was a gang-related act of violence. Heller was last elected in 2020, Dwumfour to her first term in 2021," according to NJ.com. There were no reported injuries but police found 27 shell casings in the area, said Robertson. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. Local New Jersey council member Russell Heller was shot dead in his car, exactly one week after the slaying of Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. A motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear. Have a news tip? To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. P.O. A 911 call reported gunshots being fired around 11 p.m. in the area of Baier Avenue and Phillips Road, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson. Heller was a council member in the township of Milford, near the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. 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. 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. Heller was the intended target, McDonald said, and authorities are still trying to determine a motive. Authorities investigate alleged shooting in Somerset County. 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. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel, according to the police department. 0:00. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence," New Jersey Gov. Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. 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. Roy Jackel, 41, was gunned down in Buena Vista, N.J. earlier this month as officers warned him to stop, video released by the New Jersey Attorney Generals office on Tuesday shows. Our journalism needs your support. Market data provided by Factset. He died Tuesday night, according to his family. Something like this has never happened in borough history. We hope these memories bring a smile as we grieve and heal together, the post concluded. We are very shaken by this.". "I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller," the congressman wrote. Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this report. "Both slain council members were elected Republicans. 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. 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. A homicide investigation revealed the motive behind the deadly shooting outside the PSE&G facility in New Jersey. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Required fields are marked *. 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. I am shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. FRANKLIN TWP. Download here. And his daughter, parents, and family are heartbroken beyond comprehension. Charges already filed against the alleged gunman were upgraded Wednesday to include murder, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. "Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. 0:45. ", Rep. Tom Kean Jr. said he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. 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. 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. ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab contributed to this report. NORTHAMPTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police responded to a shooting at an estate in Northampton Township, Bucks County. NORTHAMPTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police responded to a shooting at an estate in Northampton Township, Bucks County. Legal Statement. The 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 & Legal Statement. Call-In:(908) 852-1234. Fox News Flash top headlines for February 9. "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. He was taking care of his parents, lives next door. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Kyle Mazza / AP. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Anyone with information is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100,the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. It remains an ongoing homicide investigation. Our mayor and fellow council people are devastated. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Market data provided by Factset. He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office along with Franklin Township Police are investigating the homicide. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. "He was so full of life, it's just unbelievable that he's gone. This event is tragic and disturbing and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. Russell Heller, 51, was shot in the parking lot of his employer on Wednesday. There was heavy police presence following the shootings at Tunnel Way; Linden Street; Benwood Avenue near "His mother was on council for 20 years, his father was councilman and the mayor, so deeply rooted in this community," Schepens said. Heller was found dead from a gunshot wound, police said. He will be truly missed," the fire company posted on Facebook. Franklin Township Detectives looked at the damage on the car and confirmed it was caused by a gunshot. WebMultiple 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 Authorities say the murder was not politically motivated. This graphic shows the distance between the killings of local council members Russell Heller and Eunice Dwumfour in New Jersey. After hearing something hit his car, which had another Somerset man inside, he realized that it was gunshots, said Robertson. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.". Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 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. 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. Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. 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. The suspect in the Russell Heller murder-suicide is 58-year-old Gary Curtis, seen here in a previous booking photo. Something like this has never happened in borough history. The shooting occurred at about You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). Our 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. And, according to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office, the suspected gunman was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a parking lot in Bridgewater. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. 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. The Franklin Township Police Department and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office found the victim dead from a gunshot wound. The killing comes a week after a member of a different New Jersey borough council was shot and killed outside her home. Officers were dispatched to the facility on a 911 call, the Franklin Township Police Department said in a news release. "He will be sorely missed by all, and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time," said PSE&G. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. A parking lot in the Township of Milford Councilman Russell Heller prayers are with shooting in franklin, nj today family at difficult... Killings of local council members Russell Heller afternoon in Atlantic County, 18, charged with murder in Temple officer! 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