Two court bailiffs – retired police officers – were shot and killed by an inmate at the Berrien County courthouse before police returned fire on the suspect, killing them.
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Both had been employed by the court for more than a decade. That information has not yet been confirmed by Michigan State Police.
Bailey says the 44-year-old suspect, Larry Darnell Gordon, was at the courthouse for a hearing on multiple felony charges.
The wounded deputy was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he was in stable condition. He was in surgery Monday night.
Appearing with Bailey and other law enforcers, Gov. Rick Snyder called it a “terrible day in a wonderful community”.
Joseph, who represents the district, said in a statement: “What occurred today in my hometown breaks my heart”.
A sheriff says a prisoner was being moved at western MI courthouse when he disarmed an officer and shot and killed two bailiffs. “They were our friends”. “They are the ones who run to trouble and not from it. They’re courageous men”.
“We need prayers and the families need your prayers especially”, he told reporters.
Fisher is active maintaining the Berrien County Law Enforcement Memorial on the bluff in St. Joseph overlooking Lake Michigan and the ceremony held there every May. Prior to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Dallas, Kalamazoo, Michigan, was the sight of a horrific shooting rampage earlier this year.
“Now I’m so glad I stayed”, he said. Bailey also said Monday evening that he didn’t yet have all of the details on the shooting, including whether the inmate was handcuffed at the time.
“A bunch of people were yelling and I thought people were just being foolish”, Bland said.
The two Michigan bailiffs were retired police officers with one being a Michigan State trooper, and the other a local municipality’s police officer.
“We had a probation officer in the courtroom when it happened, and the gunman ran right past [her] and the rest of the folks”, Gautz said in a telephone interview.
He said he and his client rushed down a hallway toward the exit, passed scores of officers shouting “run faster, run faster!” As the shooting occurred, those inside the courthouse took cover while the police were clearing the building. The civilian wounded is Kenya Ellis, also of Benton Harbor.
“I’m going to take a video and put it on Facebook so everyone knows what’s going on and know not to come here”, she said.
Anxious the shooter may still be loose, Lane said he instructed his wife to get off of the phone and find a place to hide.
For now, there are no new updates on the MI courthouse shooting, but a police investigation will likely shed more light on this tragic affair.
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“He’s not a monster”, she said.
