Son of courthouse shooter in court

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WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A Delaware man appeared in federal court Tuesday, a day after his father allegedly shot his ex-wife, a friend and himself in a Wilmington courthouse.

A judge ordered David Matusiewicz, 45, who faces a charge of violating his probation, held pending a hearing Friday, The (Wilmington) News-Journal reported.

Thomas Matusiewicz, 67, took his own life in the New Castle County courthouse Monday after killing his former daughter-in-law, Christine Belford, and her friend, Laura Mulford. Two court officers were wounded.

The shootings and the probation violation charge against David both stem from a long-running custody battle. David Matusiewicz kidnapped his three children and was discovered with them and his mother, Lenore, in Nicaragua.

Lenore Matusiewicz attended her son's hearing in federal court in Wilmington but remained silent.

The probation violation charge involves an alleged failure to pay restitution and giving authorities misinformation about where he was staying in the Wilmington area. A prosecutor had asked a judge to hold David as a flight risk.