The quiet community of Sayreville, New Jersey, was rocked by tragedy in early 2023, and now, more than two years later, the case has come to a close—at least for now. On August 18, 2025, Rashid Ali Bynum, a 31-year-old man from Portsmouth, Virginia, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Eunice Dwumfour, a beloved pastor and local council member. The courtroom in New Brunswick was packed with the victim’s friends and family, all seeking closure after months of uncertainty and grief.
According to the Associated Press, the fatal shooting took place on February 1, 2023, as Dwumfour arrived home at her apartment complex in Sayreville. The 30-year-old was ambushed and shot 14 times while sitting in her vehicle—a crime that left the town searching for answers and the faith community reeling. Dwumfour’s deep involvement in the Nigerian church Champions Royal Assembly and her recent marriage to a fellow pastor in Abuja only added to the heartbreak felt by those who knew her. Her death was not only a personal loss for her family and congregation but also a blow to the civic life of Sayreville, where she served as a council member.
Prosecutors painted a complicated picture of the relationship between Bynum and Dwumfour. As reported by ABC News, Bynum had previously lived with Dwumfour and her child for a period, after being recruited by her into the church and a Bible study group she founded called Fire Congress Fellowship. Their connection began in Virginia, where both resided before Bynum moved to Sayreville to live among other church members. However, this arrangement did not last. Authorities stated that Bynum eventually returned to Virginia after a falling out with the church—though the precise nature of that discord remains shrouded in mystery.
On the night of the murder, Dwumfour had just pulled into her parking spot at the Camelot at La Mer apartments when she was attacked. The community was left stunned by the brutality of the act, and the lack of a clear motive only deepened the sense of unease. As NBC New York noted, prosecutors never definitively established why Bynum targeted Dwumfour. The case, therefore, became as much about seeking justice as it was about searching for answers that, for now, remain elusive.
Bynum’s trial, which lasted a month, culminated in a jury conviction in June 2025. The proceedings drew significant attention, not only because of the high-profile nature of the victim but also due to the complexities surrounding the evidence. Bynum’s attorney, Michael Ashley, has maintained his client’s innocence, arguing that there was no direct evidence linking Bynum to the shooting. According to the Courier News, Ashley stated that the prosecution’s case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and that the defense intends to appeal both the murder and weapons convictions.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the jury found Bynum guilty, and the judge imposed the maximum sentence allowed under New Jersey law: life imprisonment. The sentencing hearing was an emotional affair, with relatives and friends of Dwumfour filling the courtroom. Some wept openly as the sentence was read, while others expressed a quiet sense of relief that the man responsible for the loss of their loved one would not walk free again.
Dwumfour’s life was marked by service, both spiritual and civic. Friends described her as a passionate leader who was deeply committed to her faith and her community. Her involvement with Champions Royal Assembly, a Nigerian church with a global following, and her founding of the Fire Congress Fellowship—a Bible study group aimed at deepening members’ understanding of scripture—were testaments to her dedication. According to ABC News, she had only recently married a fellow pastor in Abuja, Nigeria, a joyful milestone that was tragically cut short.
The impact of her death was felt not just within the church but across Sayreville, where she had become known for her efforts to bridge divides and support those in need. As a council member, she advocated for policies that would benefit her constituents, and her colleagues on the council spoke of her as a rising star in local politics. The senselessness of her murder has left many in the community grappling with a profound sense of loss.
Throughout the trial, the question of motive loomed large. Prosecutors suggested that Bynum’s relationship with the church—and possibly with Dwumfour herself—had soured, leading to resentment and, ultimately, violence. Yet, as the Associated Press reported, the state never presented a definitive explanation for why Bynum chose to return to Sayreville and commit such a brutal act. This lingering uncertainty has made closure difficult for those who knew and loved Dwumfour.
Bynum’s conviction and life sentence mark the end of a legal saga, but they do not erase the pain felt by Dwumfour’s family, friends, and the wider community. As the case moves into the appeals process, questions remain about what truly drove Bynum to commit such a crime. For now, however, the justice system has spoken, and Bynum will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
In the aftermath of the sentencing, many in Sayreville have come together to honor Dwumfour’s legacy. Vigils have been held, and calls for increased support for victims of violence have grown louder. Her colleagues on the council have pledged to continue the work she began, ensuring that her commitment to service will not be forgotten.
As the community looks to the future, the memory of Eunice Dwumfour endures—not only as a victim of a terrible crime but as a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of faith. While the trial may be over, the search for meaning and healing continues, one day at a time.
