SAYREVILLE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was fatally shot while driving on Wednesday night.
Just before 7:30 p.m., Dwumfour, 30, was discovered inside her automobile on Samuel Circle with several gunshot wounds, according to authorities.
Police said they think the Newark native was the shooting's intended victim, but they do not yet know the shooting's specific reason.
They estimate that her automobile drove roughly 100 feet before striking two parked vehicles.
In 2022, Dwumfour won a seat on the council. The Republican won a three-year seat on the Borough Council by defeating the incumbent Democrat.
She also worked part-time as an EMT and a business analyst.
No one can recall the last time a sitting politician in the state was tragically murdered, according to governor Phil Murphy.
On Thursday, Murphy remarked of the last elected politician to be shot while in office, "We can't remember who that is." It's a surprising discovery, to put it simply.
In a statement, New Jersey Republican Chairman Bob Hugin stated, "On behalf of the New Jersey Republican State Committee, I would like to express our dismay and profound grief at the terrible murder that took the life of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour. "We shall remember Eunice for her unwavering commitment to the neighborhood and her profound and enduring Christian faith."
The whole town, according to Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick, is astonished and devastated.
"Eunice was a devoted councilwoman for our borough who genuinely wanted to help all of our citizens. This tragedy is even more devastating since she was snatched from us by a heinous criminal crime "stated Kilpatrick. "Eunice and I collaborated closely as mayor while she served on the Borough Council. Beyond her commitment to our community, I can say that she was a lady of great faith who made a conscious effort to incorporate her firm Christian values into both her personal and professional life. I personally find it difficult to fully convey my sadness over the passing of a friend."
The state, which has some of the tightest gun prohibitions in the nation, saw rapid word of the killing overnight through its political community.
In reaction to the Supreme Court ruling from the previous year, Governor Murphy enacted legislation in December prohibiting concealed carry in so-called sensitive locations. Several decisions that restricted the state's capacity to enforce in particular places promptly contested it. One was just issued on Monday by a federal court.
Officials from Middlesex County and Sayreville Police are looking into the incident. There have been no detentions.
In the following statement, Murphy expressed his shock.
"The news of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour's death by gunfire last night astounded me. Even though her career in public service was only getting started, she had already established a solid reputation as a dedicated Borough Council member who took her duties very seriously. I offer my sympathies to Councilwoman Dwumfour's family, friends, other members of the council, and the citizens of Sayreville as a whole. Sayreville is a proud, safe, and close-knit town, and I am certain that it will join together for a shared goal as it always has. I strongly advise anyone with information to get in touch with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office or the Sayreville Police, who are both working with the New Jersey State Police to help with the continuing investigation.
Click here for more trending news
You can also follow us on our Twitter page
You can also follow us on our Tumblr page
You can also follow us on our Pinterest page