Incheon shooting suspect says financial support ended before crime

A police line is set up outside the residence of the suspect who fatally shot a family member with a homemade gun in Incheon on Monday. Yonhap

The 62-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his son with a homemade firearm during a birthday celebration told police he committed the crime because financial support from his ex-wife's company had stopped last year, a claim that contradicts what the victim’s family has said.

According to the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station, which is leading the investigation, the suspect, identified only as A, made the statement during questioning by three criminal profilers on Tuesday.

He said he had been receiving 3 million won ($2,100]) monthly by being registered as an employee at his ex-wife’s company but that the payments ceased in the second half of last year. He also reportedly told police, “I’ve always lived an honest and upright life.”

The police, however, emphasized that this account has yet to be verified. “The suspect’s claims conflict with the statements of the victim’s family, who say the ex-wife and son consistently supported A financially and never stopped,” a police official said, adding that they have requested a warrant to search A’s financial accounts.

Investigators have found evidence suggesting the killing was premeditated. He purchased parts for the homemade firearm as early as August last year.

He told police that he visited a metal workshop in Seoul’s Euljiro area to have several steel pipes cut to different lengths for use as barrels because he “didn’t know what size would work.” That workshop no longer exists, he claimed, due to redevelopment.

Authorities believe the suspect may have planned to harm more than just his son. Based on evidence and witness accounts, police suspect he intended to kill four additional people — his daughter-in-law, their two children (ages 9 and 5) and a visiting guest of German nationality — but failed in the attempt.

Police plan to formally book him on additional charges of attempted murder or conspiracy to commit murder.
Further evidence and forensic analysis police have also secured his phone passcode and are reviewing his search history and call logs. he has consented to a forensic investigation, and authorities have requested digital analysis.

The man, who was unemployed, allegedly committed the crime at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday at his son’s 33rd-floor apartment in Songdo, Incheon. He is accused of firing three rounds of homemade buckshot containing BB-sized metal pellets, two of which struck his son in the chest and side. The victim was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest but was later pronounced dead.

A search of the suspect's residence in Dobong District, northern Seoul, uncovered 15 containers of thinner, some connected to igniters and timers. At least one device was set to detonate at noon on Monday. The police have seized the materials and requested analysis from the National Forensic Service.

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.