Meanwhile, the man prosecutors believe killed Heller has been identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, a former employee. Police suspect it was a gang Chad Stuart, 31, of Clayton, died this week of injuries he suffered in a shooting early Saturday in Franklin Township, Gloucester County. 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. 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. Charges already filed against the alleged gunman were upgraded Wednesday to include murder, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. It happened Police on Thursday called the shooting an "isolated incident.". Russell Heller is shown in this undated photo. NJ COUNCILWOMAN MURDER: SHADOWY FIGURE SEEN ON CAMERA RUNNING NEAR SITE OF UNSOLVED KILLING. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A man shot in the head early Saturday outside of a closed bar in Gloucester County has died of his injuries, authorities confirmed Wednesday. A motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear. PSE&G employee who was fatally shot was a Milford councilman, Motive revealed in shooting outside PSE&G facility, 51-year-old man killed outside New Jersey PSE&G facility, Sources: Deadly shooting outside PSE&G office. 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. ", The statement went on to call the incident "tragic and disturbing, and we are offering support to our employees as they process this. He died Tuesday night, according to his family. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. They call the shooting "an isolated incident," and say Heller was the intended target. PSE&G said after the shooting that they were offering support to employees and cooperating with law enforcement. Three hours later, detectives were able to track Curtis to the Bridgewater parking lot. The victim was identified as Michelle Cruz, 28, of Lawnside. The prosecutor's office believes it was a homicide. Have a news tip? He will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. We are very shaken by this.". Required fields are marked *. 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. Chad was really funny, she said Wednesday. "The Milford Borough Council is deeply saddened by the loss and our hearts go out to his family," Milford Mayor Henri Schepens added. 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. 0:45. We are very shaken by this. Call-In:(908) 852-1234. He was working towards his goals. 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. 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. Web0:00 1:00 FRANKLIN (Somerset) A PSE&G employee, who was also a Republican borough councilman in the Hunterdon County community of Milford, was fatally shot ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab contributed to this report. Investigators believe the shooting was an isolated incident, and Heller was the intended target. We are very shaken by this.". A handgun revolver recovered from the scene was legally registered to Curtis, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. FRANKLIN TWP. The gunman was identified as 58-year-old Gary Curtis, who used to work for the utility company. Heller was a Milford Borough councilman and PSE&G supervisor for the past 11 years. He was shot around 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Feb. 8, in the parking lot of the PSE&G Central Division headquarters building in Somerset, where he had worked as a supervisor for 11 years. NJ.com reported that the mayor of Milford, Henri Schepens, said "its just unbelievable that hes gone. Others are remembering Heller as a perfect gentleman and committed councilman. 207. He was brutally honest and he was always the life of the party, making people laugh, cracking jokes all the time.. Responding officers identified the victim as Russell Heller, 51, of Milford, N.J. Heller worked for PSE&G at the Somerset compound. ALSO READ | Crime increasing in area of East NY officer-involved shooting, * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. And Milford loved him. 0:00. Stuart was remembered at the Lake House restaurant as an amazing server, friend, baker, spontaneous singer, and goofy dancer with an infectious smile! according to a Facebook post, which included several photos of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller's family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.". 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. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. Authorities say Curtis later died of a self-inflicted gunshot. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. PSE&G called the death of Heller heartbreaking and tragic. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Breaking News: NJ Sending Marching Band To 80th Anniversary Commemoration Of D-Day In France Police & Fire 02/27/2023 Lodi Ex-Con, South Carolina Companion Busted With Gun, Hollow Points In If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. ", 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. Heller was a council member in the township of Milford, near the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Fox News' Lawrence Richard contributed to this report. 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. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 02:59 PM PST. Police are still searching for a motive for Heller's killing. We hope these memories bring a smile as we grieve and heal together, the post concluded. There's another scene about a mile away at the Somerset Patriots baseball stadium parking lot. He was 51 years old. 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Phil Murphy tweeted. After a brief conversation, Gilliano allegedly shot Stuart in the forehead, according to the witness. "He was so full of life, it's just unbelievable that he's gone. Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. There was heavy police presence following the shootings at Tunnel Way; Linden Street; Benwood Avenue near New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean said he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder" of Heller. Curtis was tracked to a parking lot area in Bridgewater Township where he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 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. 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. 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 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. "The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation.". Legal Statement. He greatly enjoyed serving the residents of the town that he grew up in and was always trying to improve whatever he could. "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. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). "At 51 years old, he had so much more to give. Officers were dispatched to the facility on a 911 call, the Franklin Township Police Department said in a news release. Detectives from Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department are conducting the investigation. 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. Heller was the intended target, McDonald said, and authorities are still trying to determine a motive. or redistributed. ", Rep. Tom Kean Jr. said he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder of Milford Councilman Russell Heller. Legal Statement. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Listen now to WTOP News WTOP.com | Alexa | Google Home | WTOP App | 103.5 FM. Kyle Mazza / AP. All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. 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. ", "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. 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. Officers located a Glock 19 handgun at the shooting scene and a spent .9mm bullet casing near Gillianos vehicle, police said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. Russell Heller, 51, was shot in the parking lot of his employer on Wednesday. Morris County releases 2022 development activity report, American Red Cross honors New Jersey heroes during Red Cross Month celebration in March, Senate advances bill that permits stalking victims to obtain restraining order against strangers, Use of force justified in non-fatal police shooting in Washington Twp, Warren County, Morris County man accused of threatening to shoot his ex and kill her entire family, Driver stopped at green light lead to DWI charge, No injuries reported after garage fire in Warren County, 3 injured after crash involving 2 tractor-trailers, pickup truck on I-80 in Morris County, Russell Stover Chocolates issues allergy alert on undeclared pecan in sugar free peanut butter cups, Menendez, Booker join colleagues and 9/11 advocates to announce bipartisan bill to close the funding gap in the WTC Health Program. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Authorities say the murder was not politically motivated. WebGet breaking Hunterdon County NJ local news, weather, events, sports and more from Flemington, Clinton, Lambertville, Lebanon, Raritan and others. "Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved," Kean tweeted. Police have yet to arrest a suspect in Dwumfour's killing. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved. Sources say a man found there died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sources tell CBS2 this was a homicide and one man is dead. "My prayers are with his family and the Milford community.". Russell was an admired employee anda supervisor with over 11 years of service with PSE&G. And his daughter, parents, and family are heartbroken beyond comprehension. He will be sorely missed by all in our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. NORTHAMPTON TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police responded to a shooting at an estate in Northampton Township, Bucks County. Three teenage boys were hospitalized Sunday night after they were wounded in what authorities believe was a gang-related act of violence. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office said it is investigating after a local police officer reportedly shot a person Monday afternoon in Atlantic County. With assistance from Bridgewater officers, detectives approached the vehicle and saw he had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, McDonald said. "His mother was on council for 20 years, his father was councilman and the mayor, so deeply rooted in this community," Schepens said. 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. New Jersey leaders are mourning the loss of a councilman who was killed in what police said was a targeted workplace shooting on Wednesday. Gilliano remains in Salem County Correctional Facility and is due back in court this week for a detention hearing. "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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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 CBS2 has learned more about Wednesday morning's deadly shooting at a PSE&G facility in Somerset, New Jersey. Information may also be emailed to the prosecutors office at tips@co.gloucester.nj.us. Heller was first elected to the council in 2017 and again in 2020. 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. The victim, 51-year-old Russell Heller, had worked with PSE&G for the last 11 years as a supervisor. 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 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. ", U.S. Rep. Tom Kean said in a Facebook post that he was "shocked and saddened by the tragic murder" of Heller. Franklin Township Detectives looked at the damage on the car and confirmed it was caused by a gunshot. WebGov. 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