After the shock caused by the murder of 30-year-old Republican councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, the New Jersey police are now being supported by the FBI in pursuit of the gunman who shot her several times inside her car in front of her home in Sayreville, Wednesday night.
The FBI is now “involved” in the investigation, which includes Sayreville police and the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, it said. ABC News. A team of researchers is analyzing all aspects of the life of Dwumfour, a recently married mother: her personal, professional and religious profile.
The African-American councilwoman was pronounced dead after being found inside her white Nissan pickup with multiple gunshot wounds on Samuel Circle just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. The car traveled about 100 feet before colliding with two parked vehicles because after being shot the victim lost control of the steering wheel.
Some neighbors told RLS Media that a gunman was seen running onto the Garden State Parkway, which runs alongside the complex. No description of the suspect has been released.
In addition to her newfound role in politics, the councilwoman was working out of NJ for a Nigeria-based religious group, was an analyst for a nonprofit community assistance group, and was a part-time EMT. And she was currently “looking for a job,” according to her LinkedIn page.
“We are aware of the inquest into the death of Councilor Dwumfour, in Sayreville on Wednesday night. We have spoken with our local law enforcement partners (…) If they ask us for help, we will do everything possible to assist in their investigation,” the FBI said in a statement.
Dwumfour was elected to the City Council last year and was a member of the Sayreville Human Rights Board. She was a native of Newark (NJ) and still has family living there. She had a daughter from a previous relationship and had recently married a pastor who lives in Nigeria.
“She was happy with her new husband. Apparently. Happy with her daughter, and she was living life, the American dream. She was a beautiful, driven person, who was doing very well in the community,” said Karen Bailey, a former Dwumfour political campaign manager.
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said last night that the shooting felt “very specific” against the councilwoman, but that it did not appear to be politically motivated. And before he issued the following statement:
“I am stunned by the news of the murder of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour last night in an act of gun violence. His career in public service was just beginning, and by all accounts he had already built a reputation as a committed City Council member who took responsibility for him with the utmost diligence and seriousness. I send my condolences (…) Sayreville is a proud, united and safe community (…) The New Jersey State Police is supporting the ongoing investigation, and I urge anyone with information to contact the Sayreville Police or Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.