A 2nd New Jersey council member is shot dead in a car

For the second time in about a week, a New Jersey council member was found shot to death in a car.

Milford Borough Councilman Russell Heller, 51, was in the parking lot of a PSE&G energy company facility in Somerset County when a former employee approached his car and shot him, a statement from the Somerset County prosecutor’s office said.

“The investigation has revealed that the shooting of Mr. Heller was not politically connected with his elected office or political affiliation,” said Frank Roman, spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office.

Roman also said Heller’s shooting is not connected to the recent killing of another council member in New Jersey.

Just last week, councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour of Sayreville was also shot and killed, Middlesex County officials said.

It’s a “dreadful coincidence” that two public servants were recently gunned down, the mayor of Milford Borough said.

“The common bond is that both of these council members love their town and were dedicated to doing good,” Mayor Henry Schepens said. “It’s not for the money, because there is no money. But you want your town to be the best it can be, and you donate your time.”