Intruder Breaks into US Federal Judge's Home... Son Killed in Shooting, Husband Seriously Injured

The judge is in the basement, so the hearing is postponed.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] An intruder broke into the home of a federal judge in New Jersey, USA, and a shooting incident resulted in the death of the judge's family members.

According to the Associated Press on the 19th (local time), the perpetrator appeared around 5 p.m. at the North Brunswick residence of Esther Salas, a judge of the New Jersey Federal District Court, dressed as a FedEx delivery person, and fired shots near the door targeting the judge's son and husband.

Salas's 20-year-old son died, and her husband was seriously injured. Judge Salas was in the basement at the time and was able to avoid harm.

Judge Salas is the first Latina woman appointed to the New Jersey District Court. She was appointed during the Obama administration.

The perpetrator has not yet been caught, and the motive for the crime is unknown.

According to local media, this is not the first assassination attempt targeting a federal judge.

In 2005, in Chicago, a plaintiff who held a grudge after a civil lawsuit was dismissed broke into the home of Judge Joanne Lefkow of the Northern District Court of Illinois and shot the judge's husband and mother. Judge Lefkow was reportedly away from home at the time and thus avoided harm.

Also, in 1989, Robert Smith Vance, a federal circuit court judge, died due to a parcel bomb sent by a perpetrator who held a grudge against a court decision.

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) are currently investigating the shooting incident at Judge Salas's residence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.