Catholic communities mourn death of son of a federal judge killed at home

BY: Rhina Guidos

Schools and a Catholic parish in New Jersey expressed pain but also offered prayers following the killing of 20-year-old Daniel Anderl, son of a federal judge, who was a student at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

He was fatally shot in the heart when a gunman entered the family home in North Brunswick Township, New Jersey, July 19.

Mark Anderl, the husband of District Judge Esther Salas of U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and Daniel’s father, also was shot during the attack but is in stable condition.

The New York Times reported July 20 that federal authorities are looking at lawyer Roy Den Hollander as the suspected shooter. Den Hollander, who has described himself as “anti-feminist,” was found dead near Liberty, New York, a day after the shooting and authorities believed he killed himself, news outlets reported. He had argued a case before the judge.

The family is said to be part of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Kendall Park, New Jersey, in the Metuchen Diocese, and Daniel Anderl attended the parish school there.

“It is with a heavy heart, and with much sadness that we regret to inform you that Danny Anderl, class of 2014, went home to be with the Lord yesterday,” St. Augustine of Canterbury School said in a July 20 post on Facebook with a graduation photo of Daniel as a child.

“Danny attended St. A’s from the First Grade, and he and his family were parishioners, as well,” the post said. “Please keep Danny, his dad, and his mom, Judge Salas, in all of your thoughts and prayers at this sorrowful time. May Danny rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord, for all of eternity. We will miss you Danny; Heaven’s newest Angel.”

The Diocese of Metuchen also expressed sorrow over the killing and said Bishop James F. Checchio asked the various Catholic communities to which the family belonged to join in prayer for them.

Read more at Catholic Spirit