Federal Judges, Guns / Firearms

Federal Judge Shot At His Home In Botched Attack

Was this a targeted attack on the judge?

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Prior to this week, we believe that only three federal judges in the history of the United States judiciary had ever been shot during their lifetime appointments on the bench. Unfortunately, the nation’s recordkeepers can now bump the number of federal judges who have become members of that gruesome club up to four.

Last night, Judge Terrence G. Berg of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan was shot during what authorities have described as a robbery or home invasion attempt gone horribly wrong. According to local news sources, Berg was taking out the trash at his home when two men unfamiliar to the judge approached him.

The Detroit News has additional details on what happened next at the scene of the crime:

Berg, 55, was wounded at about 9:10 p.m. Thursday in front of his home in the normally quiet University District of the city near Seven Mile and Livernois. …

Police believe the suspects were either trying to rob Berg or strong arm him into letting them into his home. When Berg resisted he was shot in the leg by one of the suspects who then escaped in a either a black Chrysler 300 or Charger.

Berg was rushed by EMS to Sinai-Grace Hospital with what police described as non-life threatening injuries. He is to be operated on Friday morning.

Last night, local ABC affiliate WXYZ reported that Berg was rushed to the hospital in “temporary serious condition with a wound to the inner thigh.” Local CBS affiliate WWJ-AM further noted that prior to Berg’s shooting, the suspects allegedly told the judge that “he was being robbed and that they did not want to kill him.”

Berg, a Georgetown Law graduate, was nominated for a federal judgeship by President Barack Obama in April 2012, and later confirmed in December 2012. Prior to becoming a federal judge, Berg was employed as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, served as chief of the high tech crime unit for the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, and worked as an associate at Debevoise & Plimpton.

Was this a targeted attack on the judge? At this time, investigators don’t think so, but the suspects would be in even more trouble if it were. Here’s more information from the Detroit News:

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“The lucky thing for whoever did this, is that they didn’t kill him,” [Professor Peter Henning of Wayne State University Law and former federal prosecutor] said. “Because then, my goodness. I’m glad he’s OK.”

While early reports indicated the shooting was random, the perpetrators could face federal charges if Berg was targeted because of his job, Henning said.

“If there’s any connection to his position as a judge, the guys would be prosecuted federally,” Henning said. “Criminals do dumb things. Whoever did this put themselves in the cross-hairs.”

Berg’s wife, Anita Sevier, had this to say of the situation: “I feel badly that somebody felt that they needed to do this. I feel for people that don’t have something else to be doing. I’m sorry that this has to happen in Detroit.”

There’s currently an FBI manhunt going on in conjunction with local Detroit police for the suspects in Berg’s shooting, who have been described as “African-American males, approximately 18- to 20-years old.” If you have any information, please don’t hesistate to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP (1-800-773-2587).

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Judge Berg!

Federal Judge Terrence Berg rushed to hospital after being shot in Detroit [WXYZ Detroit]
U.S. attorney: Wounded judge protected his family [Detroit News]

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