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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Media reports, including from our sister station WSJV that three people were shot, one of whom was a police officer according to CNN. Bailey said the inmate was being moved from a holding cell. “So I’m here with a heavy heart”.
Bailey said he didn’t know whether the inmate was handcuffed. He said there were no indications he would try to escape custody Monday, or that he would do in such a deadly way. “It’s supposed to be a controlled environment and it’s scary because if people really want to go out and kill somebody, and they have the means to do it, they’re going to do it unless there is intelligence to help us stop it”, said Clare County Sheriff John Wilson.
“All indications are he was trying to break out of jail”, Bailey said. “They were my friends, they were my colleagues”.
Certainly a sad day in Berrien County after an inmate transfer turns tragic.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey identified the bailiffs late Monday as 61-year-old Joseph Zangaro and 63-year-old Ronald Kienzle.
The injuries suffered by the deputy and the civilian were not considered life-threatening.
Golden ran into a public corridor, shot the woman and spent about five minutes in the courtroom area trying to take hostages before he ran through a door and was “taken down by other bailiffs who responded”, Bailey said. A sheriff’s deputy and civilian were also wounded, he said. Mr Atterberry is in a stable condition at Lakeland Hospital, following surgery on his arm.
A civilian, Kenya Ellis, was shot and injured, too, said The South Bend Tribune.
Sheriff Bailey expressed sorrow for the death of the victims.
Other officers then shot and killed Gordon.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder called on communities in Michigan and across the country to support police and other law enforcement authorities in what he called “a particularly tough time for law enforcement”.
Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., said after the shooting that “we must do better to prevent these types of tragedies”. “We have lost two very able public servants and we all grieve for them and their families”. The courthouse will be closed on Tuesday while Michigan State Police investigate.
Bailey said the shooting happened on the third floor of the courthouse.
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“We’re twin cities”, Muhammad said.
