A federal judge’s son was shot dead and her husband critically injured after a gunman dressed as a FedEx driver ambushed their home – four days after she was assigned a case linked to Jeffrey Epstein, several news outlets reported Sunday night.
The judge’s 20-year-old son opened the door to the family’s North Brunswick home at about 5 p.m. Sunday and was immediately shot, sources said. Her husband was then shot multiple times, according to sources. His condition was not immediately known, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone told ABC News.
“Her son was shot through the heart,” authorities said. The son was a freshman at Catholic University.
District Court Judge Esther Salas is believed to have been in the basement of the home during the shooting and was unharmed in the attack, according to authorities.
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A suspect “remains at-large,” a law enforcement official said.
Investigators have preliminary information that the shootings were carried out by someone dressed as a FedEx driver, according to multiple law enforcement sources.
Francis “Mac” Womack, the mayor of North Brunswick, New Jersey, said investigators are now “trying to get a hard make on the vehicle” to try and track the suspect.
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.”
The New Jersey State Police, the North Brunswick Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s office are also involved in the investigation. The U.S. Marshals have been called to provide the judge with a security detail, according to a law enforcement official.
Authorities are investigating whether there is any connection between prior threats and the shooting.
“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,” New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez 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.”
Salas is the first Latina to serve on the federal bench in New Jersey.
