Steph Deschamps /July 21, 2020
An armed man disguised as a FedEx delivery driver on Sunday shot dead the son of a federal judge in the United States and shot her husband in an attack on their home in New Jersey, US media reported.
Judge Esther Salas was uninjured, according to ABC News. The magistrate's son, Daniel Anderl, 20, was shot dead as he opened the door, according to ABC and CNN. "He was shot in the heart," said the mayor of North Brunswick, Francis "Mac" Womack, a friend of the judge, quoted by ABC.
Esther Salas' husband Mark Anderl, a lawyer and former prosecutor, was in critical but stable condition after undergoing surgery, according to the New Jersey Globe.
The FBI office in Newark said in a tweet that it was "investigating a shooting that took place at the home of Judge Esther Salas" and was looking for a suspect.
The gunman was apparently wearing a FedEx driver's uniform, law enforcement sources said.
The motive for the crime was not known at first.
"As a judge she got threats every now and then, but everyone says she hasn't had any recently," the mayor told ABC.
Justice Salas, 51, is the first Hispanic woman to serve as a federal district judge in New Jersey. She was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010.
"I know Justice Salas and her husband well, and I was proud to recommend her to President Obama for his appointment to New Jersey federal court," New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez said in a statement quoted by media.
"I pray for Judge Salas and her family, and that those responsible for this appalling act will be quickly arrested and brought to justice," he added.
The judge is currently assigned to a class action lawsuit filed by a group of Deutsche Bank investors who say the bank failed to properly monitor clients considered high-risk, including financier Jeffrey Epstein, accused of exploiting sexually young underage girls and who committed suicide last year in prison.
Esther Salas has handled several high-profile cases and in 2014 presided over the fraud trial of Teresa Giudice, the heroine of the reality show "Real Housewives of New Jersey," and her husband Joe.