Incheon shooting victim's family opposes revealing suspect's identity, cites risk of secondary harm

Police and emergency responders arrive at the scene of a homemade gun shooting in Songdo, Incheon, which left one family member dead, Sunday. Yonhap

The family of the man killed in a shocking shooting incident in Incheon’s Songdo neighborhood has expressed strong opposition to releasing the suspect’s identity, citing concerns over secondary harm to surviving relatives, including young children who witnessed the attack.

The suspect, Cho, 62, shot and killed his son during a birthday celebration using a homemade firearm and allegedly attempted to target his daughter-in-law and grandchildren as well.

His ex-wife, identifed as A, told the Hankook Ilbo on Tuesday that the killing was not spontaneous but a premeditated act carried out in front of family members.

“This was a meticulously planned attack in which the suspect brutally murdered an innocent victim, our son, in front of his family,” she said.

According to her account, Cho left the birthday gathering on July 20 under the pretense of going to a convenience store, then returned with the weapon and fired two shots at his son. He allegedly attempted to fire twice more at the son's friends, but the weapon misfired.

As the daughter-in-law helped her injured husband after first hiding their two children, Cho allegedly pointed the gun at her as well. “When she came out to help our son, the suspect reloaded his gun and shouted at her, then tried to chase her,” A said. “She locked the door to protect the children, and he repeatedly tried to open it, yelling at her to come out.”

She said Cho had intended to kill everyone present at the party, but the attempt failed due to mechanical issues with the weapon. “If the gun had worked properly, everyone at the scene would have been killed,” she said.

A also rejected online speculation that family discord linked to their divorce was a motive. She said they divorced 25 years ago due to Cho’s fault but continued living together in a common-law arrangement until their son got married.

She revealed they informed their son of the divorce only after his wedding in 2017 and asked him not to show any reaction, fearing it might emotionally affect Cho. The son and his wife, she added, honored that request.

A also said she had informed Cho in advance that she would not attend the birthday celebration due to work, emphasizing that there had been no recent conflicts. “Inviting him to the birthday gathering was the extent of our interaction. The claim that this crime was driven by post-divorce family conflict is completely groundless,” she said.

She firmly opposed the release of the suspect’s identity, citing the potential trauma for the young grandchildren.

“The victim’s children not only witnessed the horrific act but also know what the suspect looks like. Revealing his identity could cause them additional suffering,” she said.

She also expressed frustration over speculative media reports suggesting the attack was motivated by a specific grievance.

Meanwhile, Incheon police have detained Cho on charges of murder, violating firearm and explosive laws, and attempted arson of an inhabited building.

The Incheon District Court issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday, citing the risk of evidence destruction and flight. Cho did not appear for his arraignment, and the court approved the warrant based on prosecution records without a hearing.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.