Homemade Gun Killer of Son Claimed "Family Ostracized Me"... Police Call It a Delusional Crime

A man in his 60s who killed his son with a homemade firearm had fallen into a delusion that his family was ostracizing him, and had meticulously planned the crime for a year. Police concluded that Mr. A not only intended to kill his son, but also attempted to murder his daughter-in-law and grandson, who were present at the scene.

On July 29, Incheon Yeonsu Police Station announced that Mr. A (63) would be referred to the prosecution on July 30 while in custody, on charges of murder, attempted murder, preparation for arson of an inhabited building, and violation of the Firearms and Explosives Control Act.

The police determined that Mr. A committed the crime not due to family conflict, discord, or financial difficulties, but rather as a result of a complex interplay of psychological factors. These included a sense of isolation, the loss of self-esteem as the head of the family, and ultimately, delusions.

During a press briefing, police stated, "The victims considered the suspect a member of the family and treated him well, but the suspect shifted all responsibility onto his family. Based on the investigation, it is difficult to see that the other family members bear any responsibility."

They added, "Although his ex-wife maintained proper decorum because he was the children's father, and his son did the same because he was his father, the suspect appears to have developed the delusion that the other family members were ostracizing and alienating him."

The police further explained, "Mr. A and his ex-wife divorced by mutual agreement 25 years ago, but she continued to visit him on holidays and birthdays and fulfilled her responsibilities. She also provided significant financial support through personal bank transfers. Mr. A previously claimed during a profiler's interview that he had experienced financial difficulties, but he stated that this was not the motive for the crime."

Police also stated, "Mr. A divorced his ex-wife by mutual agreement while he was imprisoned for another crime in 1998, but they lived together for a time and separated after their son's marriage. So far, no particular conflict or discord has been identified. Financial support continued for living expenses, graduate school tuition, communication bills, national pension, birthday gifts, apartment utility bills, and repair costs."

They continued, "The suspect appears to have gradually become consumed by a sense of isolation and lost his self-esteem as the head of the family, leading to psychological withdrawal. These complex factors appear to have resulted in delusions, and from August last year, he began planning and preparing for this crime."

Bullets used in the murder case involving a homemade firearm. Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency

Police also stated that although Mr. A claimed he had no intention of killing his daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, or the daughter's friend (a foreign home tutor) who were at the scene, the victims' specific and consistent statements, along with evidence collected at the scene, led them to conclude that the charge of attempted murder was valid.

According to the police investigation, after shooting and killing his son with a gun, Mr. A pointed the firearm at his daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, threatening them by saying, "All of you, come here, be quiet." He then chased after the daughter-in-law's friend who fled, firing two shots that struck the front door's digital lock and other objects, resulting in failed attempts. Mr. A subsequently confronted his daughter-in-law and grandchildren, who were hiding in a room, but fled upon hearing the daughter-in-law call the police.

Mr. A was arrested for shooting and killing his son, Mr. B (33, deceased), with a homemade shotgun at Mr. B's apartment in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, at around 9:31 p.m. on July 20.

At Mr. A's home in Dobong-gu, Seoul, police found 15 containers of flammable substances, including PET bottles filled with thinner and detergent bottles, as well as ignition devices. It was determined that a fire timer had been set for noon on July 21, the day after the murder.