New Jersey borough council member Eunice Dwumfour is fatally shot in a vehicle, prosecutors say

A New Jersey councilwoman was fatally shot in a car Wednesday night, authorities said.

The victim has been identified as Sayreville City Council member Eunice Dwumfour, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said.

The shooting took place before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Samuel Circle area of ​​Sayreville, according to a statement from the prosecution and police.

Officers responded to the scene and located a woman in her vehicle “who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds,” the statement said.

Dwumfour, 30, died at the scene.

Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick said in a press release on Thursday, “As a community, we are shocked and saddened by the loss of Eunice Dwumfour.”

“Eunice was a dedicated member of our borough council who was truly committed to serving all of our residents. The fact that she was taken from us by a despicable act of crime makes this incident all the more horrifying,” she wrote.

She said she was confident the police department and the prosecutor’s office would lead to “a prompt and successful conclusion” and “the identification, arrest and successful prosecution of the person responsible.”

Mahesh Chitnis, a neighbor, paid tribute to Dwumfour on Facebook, saying they were both part of the Sayreville Human Relations Commission.

He said Dwumfour was shot on her way home and the shooting took place about 300 feet from her own residence.

“I am shocked, scared and heartbroken,” the post said. “She was a woman full of life. When she missed the HRC meeting, she would ask me to put her on speakerphone so she could attend. I was looking forward to meeting her tomorrow at our monthly meeting. She will be missed…”

Juan Rodriguez and Nelia Rodriguez, both members of the Human Relations Commission, also shared a tribute on Facebook.

“She was an amazing friend, a woman who loved God. We were just at our HRC meeting on January 5, 2023 and I just saw her this morning at the store. I remember telling her that I would see you at the meeting of the HRC tomorrow not knowing that tonight was going to be the end of his life,” the post read. “I can’t stop crying. She was 30 and full of life. You will be missed my dear and precious friend.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was “stunned” by the “killing of Dwumfour last night in an act of gun violence”.

“Her career in public service was just beginning and, by all accounts, she had already built a reputation as a committed member of the borough council who carried out her responsibilities with the utmost diligence and seriousness. “, did he declare. “I send my condolences to Councilor Dwumfour’s family and friends, her colleagues in the governing body and the entire community of Sayreville.”

A homicide investigation is ongoing. Murphy said the New Jersey State Police are supporting the investigation.

According to the council’s website, Dwumfour, a Republican, was serving a term from 2022 to 2024. She had a background in information technology and previously worked as a director of churches for the Royal Assembly of Champions, according to her LinkedIn page.

Republican New Jersey State Committee Chairman Bob Hugin called his death an act of “senseless violence”.

“Eunice will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to the community, as well as her deep and enduring Christian faith. We are confident that law enforcement will bring the perpetrators of this heartbreaking tragedy to justice. May God bless Councilwoman Dwumfour and her family,” he said in a statement.