A MI sheriff says all indications are that the inmate who fatally shot two bailiffs at a courthouse was trying to break out of custody.
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Larry Gordon’s ex wife also told of “feeling” for the families of those who were killed. A trailer marked “Auto Spa Mobile Detailing” was parked in the driveway on Monday, and Jessica Gordon said her ex-husband used it to run his business. She was listed in stable condition Monday evening at a local hospital.
Bailey said when an inmate is taken to court, they are typically handcuffed in the front rather than the back. He said the inmate got hold of the gun and started shooting.
The bailiffs who died have been identified as 61-year-old Joseph Zangaro and 63-year-old Ronald Kienzle.
Larry Darnell Gordon, 44, fatally shot bailiffs identified as Joseph Zangaro, a retired MI state police lieutenant, and Ron Kienzle, a retired Benton Township police sergeant, the Detroit Free Press newspaper reported. Sheriff Paul Bailey says there was no information or indication the inmate was violent.
Investigators said Gordon also tried to take hostages before two other bailiffs and several other officers took him down.
Gordon was being led to a court proceeding when the scuffle ensued outside the holding cell at about 2:20 p.m. Monday.
Other people in the area of the shooting sought shelter before “brave officers were able to come to their rescue and take the shooter down”, the sheriff said. Atterberry, 41, is recovering at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph.
The sheriff said not every inmate is escorted into court in handcuffs.
Bailey says, “Our hearts are torn apart”. Gov. Rick Snyder calls it a “terrible day in a wonderful community”. “We need to rally together to support one another”.
The shooting happened at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph.
Young, Jr. released a statement on the shooting Monday afternoon.
He added: “All we can do is pray for the families of everyone affected by this”. He retired from the Michigan State Police as commander of the Bridgman Post. She said she still loves him and that Tuesday would have been their 10-year wedding anniversary.
He also recalled his early years as a trooper in Detroit, a city he was once “desperate” to move back to.
“Now I’m so glad I stayed”, he said. “My kids were born here”. “I don’t want the lies”.
(Michigan Department of Corrections via AP). The department of corrections operates a probation office in the courthouse. We’re strong and we’re going to move forward.
“I looked at the officer and said, ‘What do we do?’ And he says, ‘Get out'”.
“There’s been a lot of stuff lately, and it scared me”. “The only thing I can think of is that he was completely terrified, and people do things out of character when they’re scared”.
“The courthouse is secured and the scene is rendered safe”.
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Leroy Lane, whose wife is an executive secretary to Berrien Circuit Court Judge John Donahue, rushed to the scene from his home across the river in Benton Harbor.
