Sheriff’s deputies work the parameter outside the Berrien County Courthouse after a shooting incident in St. Joseph, Mich., Monday, July 11, 2016.
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A gunman killed two bailiffs and injured a deputy sheriff at a county courthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan, authorities said Monday.
Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, a St. Joseph native, said in a statement, “What occurred today in my hometown breaks my heart”.
The bailiffs were Ronald Kienzle, 63, and Joe Zangaro, 61.
Ron Kienzle worked for the Berrien County trial court since April 2005. On Tuesday, Bailey revised that account, explaining that Gordon was cuffed in front but that the restraint was not attached to a belly chain, which security experts say is a safer way to restrict movement. “They were our colleagues”. “I can tell you they will be sorely missed”, Elliott said, noting that he hopes God gives their families the strength to bear the unbearable. Members of the public “went for shelter once the shooting occurred and fearless officers were able to come to the rescue and bring the shooter down”, Bailey said at a news conference on Monday afternoon.
The injuries suffered by the deputy and the civilian were not considered life-threatening.
Undated courtesy photo of deputy James Atterberry Jr. who was injured in the Berrien County Courthouse shooting. He remains in stable condition at Lakeland Hospital.
Relatives have also identified the fourth and final shooting victim as Kenya Ellis.
Sheriff Paul Bailey didn’t provide additional details on how the shooting happened.
His ex-wife Jessica Gordon is the mother of his children.
Zangaro and another bailiff were killed after a jail inmate got a gun and tried to escape from the courthouse Monday. Gordon made it to a third floor hallway where he shot the woman. Bailey is adamant that law enforcement had no other choice but to end the shooter’s life, as he was trying to escape and, should he have been successful, it was possible he could have hurt or killed even more people.
An official from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told Fox News that agents from the agency’s Detroit Division are en route to the shooting scene at the courthouse.
Gov. Rick Snyder said state police were investigating.
Mr Snyder described the incident as a “terrible day in a wonderful community”.
Marcus Muhammad, mayor of nearby Benton Harbor, said “together, we can pull through it and hopefully come out stronger”. St. Joe & Benton Harbor, please know that all of MI stands with you.
LaSata said that in 12 years as a circuit court judge, Monday was just the second time he had used his panic button. He fled and was later caught with the help of a Michigan State Police dog, the chief said.
The sheriff said he’s been overwhelmed with supportive calls and texts.
“We need prayers and the families need your prayers especially”. “We move people everyday, every courtroom does”.
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“I don’t believe that he meant to hurt anybody”.
