Eunice K. Dwumfour, a 30-year-old councilwoman serving her first term in Sayreville, NJ, was fatally shot Wednesday night, officials said.
According to a statement from the Middlesex County Attorney’s Office, authorities said they received reports of a shooting at 7:22 p.m. in Parlin, an unincorporated area of Sayreville. Sayreville Police Department officers found Ms. Dwumfour in her car with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities did not say whether there is indeed a suspect or a possible motive. An investigation is underway.
Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick said in a statement that “the fact that she was taken from us by a heinous criminal act makes this incident all the more horrifying.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he was “stunned” by the “act of gun violence,” adding that Ms Dwumfour “had already built a reputation as a dedicated Borough Council member who assumed her responsibilities with the utmost care and severity.” “
Eunice K. Dwumfour, City Councilwoman in Sayreville, NJCredit…Borough of Sayreville, New Jersey
Sayreville, with a population of about 45,000 people, is located in Middlesex County about 30 miles south of New York City.
Ms Dwumfour was elected to Sayreville Borough Council in 2021 after she and another Republican candidate, Christian Onuoha, unseated two Democratic incumbents on the six-member council. She served a three-year term.
In a statement about her campaign on the Sayreville Republican Party website, Ms. Dwumfour said she loves and appreciates Sayreville and wants to help improve the lives of its residents. “I am fully committed to building a better, stronger Sayreville, and with your support, we can build a brighter future for our beautiful city,” she said.
Ms. Dwumfour, a Newark Public Schools graduate, was a business analyst and professional Scrum Master, a project manager of sorts, with background work in Maryland and Virginia, according to her LinkedIn profile. In 2017, she received a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from William Paterson University of New Jersey.
Karen Bailey Bebert, Republican leader of Sayreville and Ms. Dwumfour’s campaign manager, said in an interview on Thursday that the councilwoman is an “inspirational woman” who looks forward to entering politics at a young age. She overcame challenges “with determination and a smile,” she said.
Ms Dwumfour, who had a daughter, “reached the challenge of this leadership position from a young age and is a great example to others: if you can see me, you can be me,” said Ms Bebert.
Tracey Tully and Derrick Bryson Taylor contributed coverage.
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