ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – An inmate who shot multiple people in a southwestern Michigan courthouse did so by disarming a deputy, despite being handcuffed in the front, authorities say.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said Tuesday morning that the suspect, Larry Gordon, disarmed the deputy as he was being escorting to a hearing on a domestic violence charge.
Bailey said Gordon shot and wounded Deputy James Atterberry Jr, 41, before shooting and killing two bailiffs, Joseph Zangaro, 61, and Ronald Kienzle, 63. A civillian was also wounded in the shooting.
Bailey said authorities had "no warning signs" that Gordon would be violent, and that deputy and bailiffs were trained to transport inmates, which they did every day. Bailey said it was just an unfortunate situation where "this inmate, who wanted to break out, was able to overpower our deputy."
Related: Michigan courthouse shooter's ex-wife saw no indication of attack
The courthouse is in St. Joseph, which is 100 miles northeast of Chicago.