Man in his 60s shoots son with homemade shotgun at birthday gathering in Incheon
A police line is set up Monday at the Seoul residence of a man who fatally shot a family member in Incheon with a homemade firearm. Police say an improvised explosive device, including flammable liquid and a timer, was later found and removed from the suspect’s home in Seoul's Dobong District. Yonhap
A 63-year-old man has been arrested for fatally shooting his son with a homemade shotgun during a family gathering held in celebration of the suspect’s own birthday in Incheon.
According to the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station on Monday, the suspect was taken into custody on charges of murder and violating the law on firearms, swords and explosives.
Police said the weapon used was a crude, pipe-style homemade shotgun loaded with two rounds of buckshot containing steel pellets.
“The weapon appears to be self-made and rudimentary,” a police official said. “We are still investigating whether he built it himself or acquired it from someone else. While domestic conflict appears to be the motive, the details are still under investigation.”
The incident occurred at around 9:31 p.m. on July 20 at a 33rd-floor apartment in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu District, Incheon.
The victim, who was in his 30s, had hosted the family gathering for his father’s birthday. The suspect fired two rounds at his son’s chest during the event, which was also attended by the victim’s wife, two children and other acquaintances. The son was transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest but was later pronounced dead.
The ammunition used consisted of plastic shells filled with steel pellets, which scatter upon firing and are commonly used for hunting.
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene but was apprehended by police in Seoul around 12:20 a.m. on Monday. He was transferred back to Incheon by 4 a.m.
Explosive device found at home
During questioning, the suspect revealed he had planted an improvised explosive device at his residence in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong District, Seoul. A police SWAT team searched the apartment and safely removed a device that included a timer and flammable liquid.
Authorities plan to send both the homemade firearm and explosive to the National Forensic Service to investigate how they were made and whether others were involved.
Residents of the apartment complex where the shooting occurred expressed shock. Some reported hearing the gunshots directly. “I got a call from a friend asking if I was okay, and I realized the apartment in the news was mine,” said a resident in her 40s. “I was stunned.”
An owner of a nearby real estate office said, “I couldn’t believe it. A shooting in Korea? That’s unimaginable.”
The apartment complex has about 550 units and is located near schools and private academies. As of Sunday, staff at the building’s management office were blocking media access at the entrance.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.