ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – The Berrien County, Michigan’s sheriff responded to an shooting at the Berrien County Courthouse on Monday afternoon around 2:30 p.m.
The Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office told FOX 61’s sister station in Michigan, FOX 17, that two courthouse bailiffs were killed, as was the shooter. Two others were wounded.
The bailiffs have been identified as Ronald Kienzle, 63, and Joseph Zangaro, 61. The suspect is identified by deputies as Larry Darnell Gordon, 45, from Coloma.
Deputy James Atterberry Jr., 41, was the third person shot; he suffered an injury to the arm and is in intensive care, but is in stable condition. An unnamed civilian was also shot.
Police confirmed that the shooter, who was an inmate at the courthouse for a hearing, did not bring a gun to the courthouse, but grabbed the gun off a bailiff. He was apparently trying to escape and was at a hearing for multiple felony charges.
Investigators are working to determine how the suspect got the gun. The sheriff says the suspect began fighting with the bailiffs when he was being taken from a holding cell in the building. They are reviewing surveillance tapes for more details.
The courthouse was evacuated and will remain closed on Tuesday. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said that police secured the scene and there is no further threat to the public.
