JUST IN: New Jersey Councilwoman Shot and Killed Near Home

A 30-year-old New Jersey councilwoman from Sayreville was shot and killed in her car Wednesday evening.

Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, a Republican, was shot inside her white SUV and found with multiple gunshot wounds around 7:30 p.m.

The shooting occurred in her Sayreville townhouse complex and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, Dwumfour may have been the target for the attack.

However, the motive appears unclear.

BREAKING: New Jersey Republican Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was assassinated outside her home. This was the scene overnight in Sayreville where her white SUV crashed after gunshots rang out. Police say it appears she was targeted and are still searching for several suspects. pic.twitter.com/O01Scjcmpm

— Joshua Rodriguez (@Joshuajered) February 2, 2023

Breaking News: A 30-year-old New Jersey councilwoman, Eunice Dwumfour, was found dead in her car with multiple gunshot wounds, officials said. https://t.co/0lBqkfsbP6

— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 2, 2023

Fox News reported:

A 911 call reported shots fired around 7:22 p.m, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said. A female, identified by New Jersey Globe reporter David Wildstein as Dwumfour, was found dead in her vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds.

“This is an active and ongoing investigation anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Rebecca Morales of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444 or Detective Michelle Coppola of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office 732-745-3477,” the prosecutor’s office said.

Kilpatrick called the shooting a “despicable criminal act.”

A Facebook account for Detective Juan Rodriguez and Pastor Doctor Nelia Rodriguez also reported that Dwumfour was killed.

“We are so heartbroken to announce that our friend, Councilwoman from Sayreville, part of our HRC (Human Relation Commission), our personal friend, a woman of God Eunice Dwumfour was [murdered] tonight in Sayreville,” the couple wrote.

They added, “She was an amazing friend, a woman who loved God. We were just at our HRC meeting January 5th 2023 and I just saw her this morning at the store. I remember saying to her I see you at the HRC meeting tomorrow, not knowing tonight was going to be the end of her life. I can’t stop crying. She was 30 years young and full of life.”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy released the following statement:

“I am stunned by the news of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour’s murder last evening in an act of gun violence. Her career of public service was just beginning, and by all accounts she had already built a reputation as a committed member of the Borough Council who took her responsibility with the utmost diligence and seriousness. I send my condolences to Councilwoman Dwumfour’s family and friends, her governing body colleagues, and the entire Sayreville community. Sayreville is a proud, tight-knit, and safe community and I know that it will come together, as it always has, in common purpose. The New Jersey State Police are supporting the ongoing investigation, and I urge anyone with information to contact either the Sayreville Police or the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.”

“A huge loss for the Sayreville community as Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot and killed at approximately 7:20pm causing a crash near Samuel Circle & Check Avenue,” said community organizer and journalist Charlie Kratovil.

“I personally knew her to be a very kind person and public servant. May she rest in peace.”

A huge loss for the Sayreville community as Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was shot and killed at approximately 7:20pm causing a crash near Samuel Circle & Check Avenue

I personally knew her to be a very kind person and public servant. May she rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/asxtrg1TW3

— Charlie Kratovil (@Charlie4Change) February 2, 2023

ABC 7 added:

Dwumfour was elected to the council in 2021. She was also a business analyst and part-time EMT.

Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick said the entire community is shocked and saddened.

“Eunice was a dedicated member of our Borough Council who was truly committed to serve all of our residents. The fact that she was taken from us by a despicable criminal act makes this incident all the more horrifying,” Kilpatrick said. “As Mayor I have worked very closely with Eunice in her time on the Borough Council. Beyond her dedication to our community, I can share that she was a woman of deep faith and worked hard to integrate her strong Christian beliefs in to her daily life as a person and a community leader. On a personal note, I can’t adequately express my feeling of sorrow at the loss of a friend.”

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