Judge Esther Salas's son, 20, killed and husband shot at by man dressed as FedEx driver days after she was assigned Epstein case
The son of a federal judge was shot dead and her husband was left seriously injured after they were attacked at their home by a gunman who was dressed as a FedEx driver. The incident took place at the home of Esther Salas, an Obama-appointed District Court Judge in North Brunswick, New Jersey. The shooting left the judge's son Daniel Anderl, 20, dead, and her defense attorney husband Mark Anderl, 63, seriously injured on Sunday evening, July 19.
The attack reportedly took place around 5 pm when Mark Anderl had opened the front door to their home. Anderl was shot many times after which his son, a student at Catholic University in DC went to investigate and was fatally shot.
Judge Esther Salas had been home too at the time but was in the basement and did not get injured. While speaking to ABC, the Mayor of North Brunswick, Francis 'Mac' Womack, said that "He was shot through the heart," speaking of Salas' son.
Law enforcement has revealed that a suspect "remains at large". According to investigators, the shooting had been carried out by a suspect who was dressed up as a FedEx driver.
The Mayor shared that the investigators are currently "trying to get a hard make on the vehicle" in order to track the suspect. Womack said, "As a judge, she had threats from time to time, but everyone is saying that recently there had not been any."
Womack is friends with Salas and her husband Mark. The FBI Newark Office also released a statement and said, "The FBI is investigating a shooting that occurred at the home of Judge Esther Salas in North Brunswick Township, New Jersey earlier this evening, July 19."
"We are looking for one subject and ask that anyone who thinks they may have relevant information please call FBI Newark at 973-792-3001. We are working closely with our state and local partners and will provide additional updates when available," the statement continued.
Sources have revealed that Salas had also received threats in the past and authorities are looking into whether there is any connection between the previous threats and the shooting or whether it was something related to Salas' husband's work as a criminal defense attorney.
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez released a statement and said, "I know Judge Salas and her husband well, and was proud to recommend her to President Obama for nomination to New Jersey's federal bench."
"My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family, and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice," the statement added.
As per NY Post, Salas has served as a US District Court judge in Newark for around nine years. She has sentenced 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' star Teresa Giudice to more than a year in prison for fraud back in 2014.
She has also been responsible for many other high profile cases some of which have included the leaders of street gangs. She is the first Latina to serve on the federal bench in New Jersey.