Over the past few hours, RedState has been following breaking news out of New Jersey, first reported by NBC-TV New York, that a New Jersey federal judge and her family were targeted by a shooter at their NJ home late Sunday evening.
The husband and son of a New Jersey federal judge were shot at their home Sunday afternoon, and a massive law enforcement response is underway.
Three senior law enforcement officials tell News 4 New York that a gunman shot Judge Esther Salas’s spouse and child at their North Brunswick home around 5 p.m. Sunday. Both are in very critical condition, the sources said.
Preliminary indications are that the husband answered the door and was shot multiple times; the son came running to the door and was shot as well before the gunman fled, the sources said. Judge Salas was believed to be in the basement at the time of the shooting.
The station also reported that state and federal law enforcement officials continue to work at the scene:
The FBI, U.S. Marshals, New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General all have personnel on scene investigating.
“The FBI is investigating a shooting that took place at the home of Judge Esther Salas in North Brunswick Township, NJ early this evening July 19. We are working closely with our state and local partners and will provide additional updates when available,” the bureau said in a statement.
A local blog source, New Jersey Globe, reports that the judge’s 20-year-old son had been slain in the shooting, but that has not yet been corroborated by other sources.
The husband and son of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas were shot this evening after a gunman dressed as a Federal Express delivery driver entered their North Brunswick home. Her son is dead; her husband in critical condition. https://t.co/ZpUqMuoYi2
— David Wildstein (@wildstein) July 20, 2020
NBC-NY added some background details on the federal judge and her husband:
She is the first Hispanic woman to serve on the federal bench in New Jersey.
Salas has presided over a number of high-profile trials in her tenure, including the trial of former “Real Housewife” Teresa Giudice.
Her husband, Mark Anderl, is a well-regarded criminal defense attorney.
In the midst of the national conversation about race and the role of law enforcement – and the ongoing rioting, lawlessness and destruction of federal property by Black Lives Matters, Antifa, and other radical elements of the activist Left – it will be interesting to see where the responsibility lies for this tragic event. My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family right now.
Update [12:36am EDT, 07/20/20]: WABC-TV is reporting that Judge Salas’s son was killed in the attack:
NORTH BRUNSWICK, New Jersey — The son of New Jersey federal judge Esther Salas was killed, and her husband was wounded in a shooting at their home in North Brunswick on Sunday, sources tell ABC News.
Judge Salas’ husband, criminal defense attorney Mark Anderl, is in stable condition at the hospital after undergoing surgery, said North Brunswick Mayor Francis Womack.
The station added that the suspect is still at large, according to officials.
In a tweet, the FBI said that they are “looking for one subject,” and asks “anyone who thinks they may have relevant information” to contact them:
It read, in full:
The FBI is investigating a shooting that occurred at the home of Judge Ester Salas in North Brunswick Township, New Jersey earlier this evening, July 19. We’re looking for one subject & ask that anyone who thinks they may have relevant information call us at 1-973-792-3001.
As this is a developing story, we will add details as they become available.
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