Eunice Dwumfour, a Republican councilwoman, married to a Nigerian pastor was on Wednesday evening, February 1, 2023, shot dead in front of her home in New Jersey, America by a yet-to-be-identified assailant.
According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, the 30-year-old Dwumfour was the wife of pastor Eze Kings who was based in Nigeria.
Dwumfour was also a preacher for a church group based in Nigeria.
A male witness, who did not want to be named told the New York Post on Thursday
that Dwumfour's car was hit with about 12 gunshots around 7:15p.m, while she was traveling down Check Avenue toward Samuel Circle.
The vehicle crashed into two parked cars, one of which was a black Lexus GS350 belonging to the witness before it eventually stopped.
The witness said: “It took a second before I realized 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 neighbors said they saw someone running away with a mask on.”
Describing the scene to New York Post, a dog groomer Kristen Glanforf, who lives on Check Avenue said: "I heard what sounded like a couple of rounds going off."
"I put everything down and took off for my flat. An automobile with its lights on was rolling down the hill. The entrances were open."
Investigators at the crime scene told reporters that video footage showed Dwumfour talking with the shooter shortly before her death.
Authorities said that although no obvious motive has been established, Dwumfour
appeared to be the planned target.
According to the reports of ABC7 in New York, investigators are looking into her links to her husband’s church in Nigeria, among other things.
ABC7 reported that the authorities brought in police dogs to search the forests behind the apartment complex for the murder weapon.
Reactions.
Prominent members of the New Jersey community have been reacting to Dwumfour's death.
Phil Murphy, Governor of the state of New Jersey, in a statement said he was "stunned" by the news of the council woman's death, adding: “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.”
“I send my condolences to Councilwoman Dwumfour’s family and friends, her governing body colleagues, and the entire Sayreville community.”
The Mayor of Sayreville, Victoria Kilpatrick, also expressed shock and sadness at the loss.
In a statement, Kirkpatrick said, “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.”
Meaww outlet reports that Dwumfour's family said they are cooperating with the local authorities as they investigate to find out what happened on that night.
Prince Dwumfour, the council woman's father, said “I can’t say anything about it unless [the investigation] is finished.”
A family friend who lives in the same apartment as Dwumfour’s parents alleged that Dwumfour was a victim of a racially motivated attack.
“We all suggested that she doesn’t move down to that part of Jersey — we call that "clan land," "That was a hit. That was an assassination,” said the friend, who would not give her name.
Another Ghanaian family friend, Amos Martey, 52 also believes that Dwumfour was killed because of her race and position.
“I believe color played a role. “I believe because she’s a minority. It might be related to her job … I might be wrong, but that’s how I feel. It breaks my heart,” Martey said.
The FBI's Newark field office issued a statement, on Friday, February 3,
saying that they were aware of Dwumfour’s death and were in contact with local law enforcement.
“Should they ask us for any assistance, we will do all we can to help their investigation,” an FBI spokesperson said in an email.
Who was Eunice Dwumfour?
Eunice Dwumfour, the oldest of five children in a Ghanaian family, was the mother of an 11-year-old girl.
She got married to Eze Kings, who reportedly works as a pastor in Nigeria in November last year, according to her relatives.
The Republican councilwoman unexpectedly defeated the incumbent Democrat in the November 21, 2022 election and has served the Borough of Sayreville since then. She would have been up for reelection in 2024.
Crime. Politics and Opinion.
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