Two court bailiffs were killed and one deputy was wounded after an inmate being transferred grabbed a gun and opened fire outside a Michigan courthouse in Berrien County, Michigan.
The inmate was attempting to escape.
The gunman has been identified as 44-year-old Larry Darnell Gordon. He was shot and killed by other bailiffs after shooting four people. Sheriff L. Paul Bailey identified the two bailiffs who were killed as Joseph Zangaro, 61, and Ron Kienzle, 63. The injured deputy has been identified as James Atterbury, 41. An unnamed civilian woman was also injured.
“I lost some friends today. So I’m here with a heavy heart,” Bailey said during the briefing.
Shortly before 2:30 PM, Gordon was being taken out of a holding cell on the courthouse’s third floor. He was being moved to a courtroom for an arraignment when a fight took place and he was able to obtain the deputy’s gun. He attempted to take hostages and leave through another door. Two other bailiffs shot and killed Gordon. All officers involved were armed.
Jessica Gordon has spoken on her ex-husband’s actions, saying that she does not want him to be viewed as an angry, violent person and that his actions did not correspond to his personality.
Jail records report that Gordon was a 44-year-old white man who was booked in April. Bailey said Gordon was being held in county jail for “several felony charges,” which included two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, and domestic violence.
“Our hearts are torn apart,” said Bailey “They were our friends. They were my colleagues. I’ve known them for over 30 years. So it’s a sad day.”
