Russell Heller.Photo: Russ Heller/Facebook
Investigators believe “prior employment disciplinary actions between subordinate and supervisor,” led Gary T. Curtis, 58, a former worker with the energy company, to shoot Russell D. Heller, 51, the morning of Feb. 8, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Heller, a Republican member of the Milford Borough Council, was found dead around 7 a.m. outside his car in the parking lot of the Somerset facility where he worked, authorities said.
Gary Curtis.Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office
The handgun revolver Curtis allegedly used to kill Heller and shoot himself was discovered in his vehicle and registered in his name, according to prosecutors.
Heller’s death comes a week after 30-year-old Eunice Dwumfour, a fellow Republican member of the Sayreville Borough Council, was found shot dead inside her car not far from her home. No arrests have been made in connection with her Feb. 1 death as of Feb. 13.
Eunice Dwumfour.Borough of Sayreville
“We are heartbroken at the tragic death of Russell Heller, a senior distribution advisor at PSE&G,” the company said.
Similarly to the announcement of Dwumfour’s death, tributes poured in from local leaders.
“Russell was an outstanding public servant who proudly represented the river town he loved,” reads aFacebook postfrom the congressman. “My prayers are with his family and the Milford community.”
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In a Facebook post, members ofMilford Fire Company Station 92remembered Heller as someone who “greatly enjoyed serving the residents of the town that he grew up in and was always trying to improve whatever he could.”
Gov. Phil Murphy also shared his condolences onTwitter.
“Early this morning, a deadly shooting took place outside of a PSE&G facility in Franklin Township,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Russell Heller’s family and friends in the wake of this tragic act of gun violence.”
source: people.com
