Dan Anderl is a 2018 graduate of Saint Joseph High School in Metuchen
The FBI has identified Roy Den Hollander as the primary suspect in the attack that occurred at the North Brunswick home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas on July 19.
Hollander is now deceased, according to information provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on July 20.
At 5 p.m. July 19, North Brunswick police received multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting at a residence on Point of Woods Drive in the Hidden Lake section of the township.
Patrol units and the North Brunswick First Aid & Rescue Squad and RWJUH-ALS arrived on scene to find Salas’ husband, Mark Anderl, and their son, Daniel, suffering from gunshot wounds, according to information provided by the North Brunswick Police Department on July 20 via Facebook.
Both victims were transported to a local hospital. Daniel Anderl was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Mark Anderl was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Mark Anderl, who is a criminal defense attorney, was still in the hospital as of press time.
North Brunswick Mayor Francis “Mac” Womack offered his sincerest condolences to the family.
“There are no words that can express the feelings of sadness and loss we share as a community after the senseless shootings of the husband and son of U.S. District Court Judge, the Honorable Esther Salas.
“We commit to do all we can to support the family in this time of need, as well as support the law enforcement agencies dedicated to bringing those involved in this horrific crime to justice,” he said.
John Garvey, the president of Catholic University, Washington, D.C., where Daniel Anderl attended school, offered messages in a series of tweets.
“I was shocked last night to hear news of Daniel Anderl’s tragic death … Daniel was a rising junior, enrolled for classes beginning in the next few weeks. He turned 20 last week.
“We all mourn and grieve this loss to our university community. Our deepest condolences go out to Daniel’s parents, Esther Salas and Mark Anderl. We pray, too, for Daniel’s father, who was also shot and is in the hospital,” Garvey said.
The university’s chaplain, Father Jude DeAngelo, offered Mass on July 20 for the family.
Dan Anderl was a 2018 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Metuchen.
“It is with the utmost sadness that we inform you that Dan Anderl ’18 was taken from us last night. Dan was a true friend, a proud Falcon, and an overall wonderful human being. He will be truly missed. We pray for Dan’s family and friends during this unbelievably difficult time; please know, we are mourning with you,” reads a message on the school’s website.
Salas sits on the bench in the District of New Jersey, Newark. She was appointed to the U.S. District Court in December 2010 by President Barack Obama, according to information from The White House Office of the Press Secretary.
Salas served as a United States magistrate judge for the District of New Jersey, a position she held since 2006. She previously served as an assistant federal public defender for the District of New Jersey from 1997 to 2006.
From 1995-97, Salas was an associate at Garces & Grabler PC. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Eugene J. Codey Jr. of the Superior Court of New Jersey.
Salas received her J.D. in 1994 from the Rutgers University School of Law and her B.A. in 1991 from Rutgers University, according to the statement announcing her appointment.
“Judge Salas and her family are in our thoughts at this time as they cope with this senseless act,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a tweet on July 19.
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) released the following statement in response to 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.
“My prayers are with Judge Salas and her family, and that those responsible for this horrendous act are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice,” Menendez said.
New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement: “Our thoughts are with Judge Salas and her family during this unspeakably difficult time. We mourn the loss of her son and pray her husband has a speedy and full recovery.
“We must come together as a community to put an end to senseless gun violence. No family deserves to suffer the loss and heartache the Salas family must now endure,” Coughlin said.
Antonia Ricigliano, a former mayor of Edison, extended her support to the North Brunswick community.
“Please accept and extend to your constituents my deepest condolences on the tragic death of Daniel Anderl and the critical injuries suffered by his dad, Mark Anderl … The horror suffered by your community is inexplicable to those of us who value the sanctity of life and the safety of our homes.
“The prayers of my family are extended to you all, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, her family and all in North Brunswick. May God bless all of you,” Ricigliano said in a statement to Womack.
The organization Women Aware extended its thoughts, prayers and strength to Salas and her husband, who is an attorney.
“At Women Aware, we remain committed to a society where individuals can live free from violence and injustice. Hate has no home here,” Phyllis Yonta, chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement.
Hollander was an attorney who had worked in New York since 2000, and in Russia, Ecuador and New York prior to that, according to his website. He specialized in anti-feminist litigation, investigations and advice on general corporate matters.
He was part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury Honors Program in Washington, D.C., as an attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Services’ Interpretive Division. He is a former political producer, writer and assignment editor for ABC News in New York.
Doreen A. Holder, spokesperson for the FBI’s Newark office, said there was “no further comment” as of July 23.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information relevant to the investigation may call FBI-Newark at 973-792-3000, press option 2.
