The Berrien County Courthouse will reopen on Wednesday with additional deputies on staff and grief counselors available to employees. I have known them for over 30 years.
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Jessica Gordon declined to comment on the April charges Monday but said she believes he’s innocent of at least some of them.
Jessica Gordon says she doesn’t want speculation or lies being spread about her ex-husband.
Gordon, who was being held on sexual assault and kidnapping charges, somehow managed to steal a gun from an officer in court despite the handcuffs, shooting two bailiffs dead and injuring two others.
Zangaro was head of court security. He retired from the Michigan State Police as commander of the Bridgman Post.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said at a news conference late Monday afternoon that a deputy sheriff was also shot but is in stable condition at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.
State police records say Larry Darnell Gordon was charged in April with criminal sexual conduct, assault with a unsafe weapon and kidnapping. Kienzle had worked for the trial court since 2005, and was a retired Benton Township police sergeant.
After shooting the officers, inmate Larry Darnell Gordon tried to take hostages in the courtroom area, shot a woman in the arm and was fatally shot by other bailiffs when he tried to flee, Bailey said.
Bailey said it does not appear that Gordon was handcuffed, adding authorities had “no warning signs” that the suspect would be violent.
The injuries suffered by the deputy and the civilian were not considered life-threatening. The inmate, Larry Darnell Gordon, was killed by other officers.
Snyder called it a “terrible day in a wonderful community”. Bailey said the inmate was being moved from a holding cell. Sheriff’s deputies work the parameter outside the Berrien County Courthouse after a shooting incident in St. Joseph, Mich., Monday, July 11, 2016.
The Berrien County Courthouse is expected to remain closed today as the investigation continues. She said she still loves him and that Tuesday would have been their 10-year wedding anniversary. This is a particularly tough time for law enforcement.
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“I ask that all Michiganders put your prayers out, your thoughts and prayers, for the families of the lost law enforcement officials and that we give our thoughts and prayers to the wounded”, Snyder said.
