What we know: Sayreville councilwoman murdered outside her home

Many questions remain after Sayreville, New Jersey councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour, 30, was shot and killed outside her home in the Parlin section of town, authorities said.

What neighbors are saying

Neighbors believe the gunman was likely waiting outside Dwumfour's townhouse at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday night for her to come home from work before opening fire at a close range, firing off more than 10 shots.

Neighbors claimed to have seen the gunman running off into the woods in a hooded sweatshirt after the shooting, hopping a fence bordering the Garden State Parkway.

The woods bordering the apartment complex and the Garden State Parkway.

Investigators have not said whether they believe the shooting to be politically motivated or personal, but it does appear to not be random.

What we know

Authorities received a 911 call Wednesday around 7:22 p.m. reporting shots fired in the area of Samuel Circle, which is inside the Camelot at La Mer apartment complex.

The Camelot at La Mer apartment complex.

Police found Dwumfour in the front seat of her vehicle. She had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Residents of the apartment complex, where Dwumfour lived on the third floor, believe the shooting was targeted. 

They said she was coming home from work and about to park her SUV when out of nowhere, someone came out and opened fire, shooting her 13 times through her truck window.

They said she then lost control of her SUV, and continued to roll down the hill and slam into a parked Mercedes-Benz.

Authorities said the homicide is under investigation. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Rebecca Morales of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444 or Detective Michelle Coppola of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office 732-745-3477.

Sayreville councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour was fatally shot outside her home Wednesday night. (Photo credit: Sayreville Borough Council)

Who was Eunice Dwumfour?

Dwumfour, a Republican, was elected to the seat in November 2021. She graduated from Newark Public Schools, before going on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in women and gender studies from William Paterson University.

Dwumfour was also a business analyst, part-time EMT and director of churches. 

She leaves behind a school-aged child.

Elected officials react

In a tweet, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said, "I am stunned by the news of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour’s murder last evening in an act of gun violence. I send my condolences to her family and friends, and the entire Sayreville community. I urge anyone with information to contact Sayreville local law enforcement."

Senator Cory Booker issued a statement saying: "The tragic killing of Sayreville Councilwoman Eunice Dwumfour in a shooting last night is shocking and horrifying. Her death is a terrible loss not just to her family, friends, and colleagues, but to the Sayreville community and our state. My heart goes out to her loved ones and the entire Sayreville community in their time of pain."

SayrevilleCrime and Public Safety