Shooter who killed Esther Salas' son dies by suicide, was an attorney with a case before the New Jersey judge
NORTH BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY: Multiple outlets are reporting that the man allegedly responsible for fatally shooting the son of a New Jersey federal judge Esther Salas, and injuring her husband attorney Mark Anderl, has died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooter, whose name has not been released yet, reportedly killed Daniel Anderl, the 20-year-old son of Judge Salas, at her North Brunswick home has died, reported outlets like CNN, CNBC and ABC News. Salas was in the home's basement at the time when the suspect, dressed as a FedEx employee opened fire at her house. At the time, the door was opened by Daniel with his father directly behind him. The gunman immediately fled the scene after raining bullets on Salas' family.
According to Chief Judge Freda Wolfson, Salas was unharmed. Carlos Salas, the judge's brother said that Mark is in stable condition and "seems to be OK." The US Marshals and FBI are investigating the shooting and locate the gunman. The New Jersey State Police, the North Brunswick Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's office are also involved in the investigation. Two law enforcement sources told CNN that the shooter had died by suicide. A municipal employee discovered the body in a car near Liberty, New York. A FedEx package addressed to Judge Salas was discovered in the car.
The shooter has been described as a white man who used an ordinary car to make a getaway. According to sources, who spoke to ABC News, the deceased suspect was believed to be an attorney who had a case before Judge Salas in 2015.
The authorities are yet to find out whether the shooter was posing as a fake FedEx worker or was really employed by the company. "We are aware of the media reports and are fully cooperating with investigating authorities," Jonathan Lyons, a spokesman for FedEx, said in an email statement.
Investigators said that they were yet to find out the motive behind the shooting as there were no known threats against Salas. "As a judge, she had threats from time to time, but everyone is saying that recently there had not been any," Francis "Mac" Womack, the mayor of North Brunswick, New Jersey, who is personal friends with the judge and her husband, told ABC News. Investigators were also working to establish whether Salas' husband's work as an attorney was somehow involved when it comes to the shooter's motive.
In a statement, the FBI Newark office 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."
Meanwhile, the judge will be provided with a security detail as the investigation continues.
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez expressed his condolences in the matter. "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," he said in a statement. "My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family, and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice."