Who Was Daniel Anderl? New Jersey Federal Judge Esther Salas’ Son Shot Dead At Home

A gunman opened fire at a federal judge’s home in North Brunswick, New Jersey, killing her son and injuring her husband.

Esther Salas’ son, 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, opened the door and was immediately shot by the suspect around 5 p.m. EDT on Sunday, July 19.

“He was shot through the heart,” Francis “Mac” Womack, the mayor of North Brunswick, told ABC News. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The gunman then shot the judge’s husband multiple times before fleeing the scene. Salas was not injured in the incident. The condition of her husband was not immediately known.

A search was underway for the suspect, who remained at large as of Sunday night.

"We are looking for one subject. We are working closely with our state and local partners and will provide additional updates when available,” the FBI said in a statement.

A law enforcement official told CNN that the gunman appeared to be wearing a FedEx uniform when the incident took place. However, it remained unclear if the suspect was a FedEx employee or posing to be one.

Salas is a popular jurist who has presided over several high-profile cases. She had recently presided over a lawsuit brought by Deutsche Bank investors who accused the company of failing to monitor “high-risk” customers including Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in a Manhattan jail last year, reports said.

Her son was a freshman at Catholic University. He attended St. Joseph high school and played baseball for the institution. Heavy reported that he was about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed 150 pounds.

Salas had previously told New Jersey Monthly that Anderl might pursue a legal career.

"I don't want to dissuade him, but I was pulling for a doctor. He's been arguing with us since he could talk—practicing his advocacy skills," Salas had told the magazine in 2018.

Meanwhile, an investigation into the shooting was ongoing and the motive behind the shooting was not known.

“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,” FBI Newark tweeted.

The Newark office of the U.S. Marshals Service was also investigating the incident.

“The U.S. Marshals Service is aware of the tragic incident involving Esther Salas, United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, and her family and is currently investigating. The U.S. Marshals Service is responsible for the protection of federal judicial officials and we take that responsibility very seriously," the federal law enforcement agency said, the Huffington Post reported.

In a statement, New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez 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."