The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey Police have embarked on a joint operation to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a Republican Councilwoman, Eunice Dwumfour.
According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, she was the wife of Nigerian-born pastor Eze Kings.
The New York Post reported that Dwumfour was shot dead in front of her home in New Jersey, United States of America, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
It was gathered that Dwumfour was hit with about 12 gunshots by a yet-to-be-identified assailant while driving around her home on Wednesday evening.
The white Nissan SUV she drove crashed into two parked cars before coming to a stop.
Approximately 12 rounds were fired at Dwumfour’s automobile as it was driving down Check Avenue toward Samuel Circle at 7:15 p.m., according to a male witness who spoke to the NY Post on condition of anonymity.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop after crashing into two parked cars, including the witness’s black Lexus GS350.
The witness said, “It took a second before I realised there was a dead body behind the wheel.
“She was slumped over the wheel with a black hoodie with brown fur covering her head, her hands were down by her side. There was one bullet hole in the passenger door and a bunch of bullet holes in the driver’s door. Some other neighbours said they saw someone running away with a mask on.”
Some locals also told RLS Media that the gunman was spotted racing off to the Garden State Parkway, which edges the complex.
Twenty Sayreville police officers were reportedly seen on Thursday afternoon searching the sides of the Garden State Parkway off-ramp leading to the Jon Bon Jovi Service Area.
Shortly after, detectives at the crime scene revealed to the media that Dwumfour was seen on video conversing with the murderer just before she was shot and killed.
The Republican councilwoman — who preached for a Nigerian-based church group — appeared to be the intended target, authorities told the outlet, stressing that there was no obvious motive.
“I heard what sounded like a few shots going off,” dog groomer Kristen Glanforf, who lives on Check Avenue, told The Post of the scene.
“I dropped everything and started running for my apartment. There was a car rolled down to the end of the hill, lights on. The doors were open.”
Community organiser Charlie Kratovil posted a video of her SUV being towed away from the scene, and called it “a huge loss for the Sayreville community.”
“I personally knew her to be a very kind person and public servant. May she rest in peace.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was “stunned” by the news of the councilwoman’s death.
“Her career of public service was just beginning, and by all accounts, she had already built a reputation as a committed member of the Borough Council who took her responsibility with the utmost diligence and seriousness,” Murphy said in a statement.
“I send my condolences to Councilwoman Dwumfour’s family and friends, her governing body colleagues, and the entire Sayreville community,” Murphy added.
Sayreville Mayor Victoria Kilpatrick said the whole community was also “shocked and saddened by the loss.”
“Eunice was a dedicated member of our borough council who was truly committed to serving our residents. The fact she was taken from us by this despicable criminal act makes this incident all the more horrifying,” she wrote.
