Father Shoots Son Dead with Homemade Gun at Birthday Party, Cache of Explosives Found at Home

Shocking Birthday Tragedy Rocks South Korea

What was meant to be a joyous birthday celebration turned into an unthinkable tragedy in Incheon's Songdo district on July 20, 2025. A 63-year-old father fatally shot his own son with a homemade shotgun during a family gathering, shocking the nation and raising serious questions about weapon accessibility in South Korea.

The incident occurred at 9:31 PM at a high-rise apartment on the 33rd floor in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu District. The victim, a man in his 30s, had organized the birthday party for his father, inviting family members including his wife, two young children, and several friends to celebrate. The evening took a horrific turn when the father briefly left the apartment, only to return with a pipe-style homemade shotgun loaded with buckshot containing steel pellets.

According to police reports, the suspect fired two rounds directly into his son's chest during the gathering. The son was immediately rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The daughter-in-law, who witnessed the shooting, immediately called emergency services, leading to a massive police response that would uncover an even more disturbing cache of weapons and explosives.

The Arrest and Discovery of Arsenal

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the scene in his vehicle, triggering a manhunt across the Seoul metropolitan area. Police tracked the fleeing suspect and apprehended him near Sadang Station in Seoul's Seocho district at approximately 12:20 AM, just three hours after the initial shooting.

The arrest revealed the true scope of the man's preparations for violence. Inside his vehicle, police discovered an alarming arsenal: 10 additional homemade firearms, 11 metal pipes likely intended as gun barrels, and 86 rounds of improvised buckshot ammunition. Some of the weapons were already loaded and ready for use.

But the most shocking discovery came when the suspect told investigators he had planted explosives at his residence in Seoul's Dobong District. This revelation prompted an immediate evacuation of over 100 residents from the apartment building as bomb disposal experts were called to the scene. Police found 15 improvised explosive devices constructed from plastic bottles, detergent containers, and milk cartons filled with thinner and connected to timer mechanisms. Several devices were set to detonate at noon the following day, potentially causing massive casualties.

YouTube Tutorials: The Deadly Knowledge Source

During police questioning, the suspect made a confession that sent shockwaves through Korean society: he had learned to construct the weapons by watching instructional videos on YouTube. This revelation has reignited fierce debates about online content regulation and the ease with which dangerous information can be accessed.

A simple search on YouTube using Korean or English keywords like 'DIY gun' or 'homemade pistol' reveals dozens of videos demonstrating weapon construction using readily available materials such as metal pipes, springs, bolts, and even cardboard. Many of these videos are disguised as educational or experimental content, making them harder for platform moderators to identify and remove quickly.

The suspect's confession highlights a growing concern in South Korea about the proliferation of weapons-making tutorials online. These videos often provide step-by-step instructions, complete with blueprints and material lists, effectively turning the internet into a virtual weapons manual. Some tutorials even explain how to manufacture explosives and create 3D-printed gun components, raising alarm among law enforcement officials about the potential for copycat crimes.

Family Discord and Long-Standing Resentment

As investigators delve deeper into the case, a picture of long-standing family dysfunction has emerged. The suspect reportedly told police that the shooting stemmed from deep-seated resentment toward his son, rooted in a bitter divorce that occurred two decades earlier.

According to reports, the father had been living separately from his son's family, but the underlying tensions had apparently festered over the years. The choice of his own birthday celebration as the venue for the attack adds another layer of psychological complexity to the case, suggesting premeditation and a desire to forever taint what should have been a joyous family occasion.

Korean society has been particularly shaken by this aspect of the crime, as it strikes at the heart of traditional family values that emphasize filial piety and respect between generations. The fact that the violence occurred in front of young grandchildren and during a celebration has deepened the sense of horror and disbelief among the public.

South Korea's Gun Safety Record Under Scrutiny

This incident has shattered South Korea's long-held reputation as a 'gun-clean country' and raised serious questions about whether the nation can still be considered a 'gun-safe zone'. South Korea has historically maintained some of the world's strictest gun control laws, with legal firearm ownership extremely limited and tightly regulated.

However, the rise of homemade weapons constructed from easily obtainable materials and online tutorials represents a new challenge that existing laws were not designed to address. The case has prompted calls for enhanced regulation of online content and stricter controls on materials that can be used to construct improvised weapons.

Law enforcement experts point out that traditional gun control measures become less effective when individuals can manufacture weapons at home using common household items. The discovery of 3D printing instructions and detailed blueprints online has further complicated the regulatory landscape, as these technologies make weapon production more accessible than ever before.

Community Impact and Public Response

The Songdo community, known for its modern high-rise developments and international business district, has been left reeling from the violence that shattered the area's reputation for safety and prosperity. Residents of the affected building reported seeing blood in the elevator and heavy police presence that lasted well into the night.

The evacuation of over 100 residents from the suspect's Seoul apartment building due to the bomb threat created additional trauma and highlighted the broader public safety implications of the case. Many residents expressed shock that such violence could occur in what they considered safe, family-oriented neighborhoods.

Online communities and social media platforms have been flooded with discussions about the case, with many users expressing disbelief and calling for stricter regulations on weapons-related content. The incident has also sparked broader conversations about mental health support, family conflict resolution, and the responsibilities of online platforms in monitoring dangerous content.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

The suspect has been charged with murder and violations of South Korea's firearms, explosives, and weapons safety management laws. Police have requested an arrest warrant, and the Incheon District Court is expected to hold a hearing to determine whether to grant the request.

Investigators are working with profilers to better understand the suspect's psychological state and motivations. The National Forensic Service is analyzing the seized weapons and explosive devices to determine their construction methods and potential effectiveness. Police are also examining the suspect's internet history and communications to trace how he acquired the knowledge and materials for weapon construction.

The case has prompted discussions about potential legislative changes to address online weapons tutorials and regulate the sale of materials commonly used in improvised weapon construction. Authorities are also considering enhanced monitoring of suspicious online activity and purchases that might indicate weapons-making activities.