ST. JOSEPH, MICH. (WKZO-AM) — Two Court Bailiffs at the Berrien County Courthouse are dead and so is the inmate who killed them after an escape attempt this afternoon in St. Joseph.
Sheriff Paul Bailey says the inmate had just been removed from a holding cell and was on his way to a courtroom when he grabbed one of the bailiff’s guns and opened fire, killing both of them.
Another deputy was wounded and a civilian shot in the arm as the inmate was trying to escape the courthouse, but before he could he was shot and killed by other bailiffs who responded.
The other deputy and the civilian are in stable condition at Lakeland Medical Center.
Sheriff Bailey says it’s been a sad day. The bailiffs who were killed were friends and colleagues that he has known for 30 years.
A great many other details are still be sorted out as State Police have taken over the investigation and their forensics experts go through the courthouse, which will be closed tomorrow.
Names won’t be released until the family is notified. Autopsies are planned for Tuesday at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Governor Rick Snyder was also on hand for an evening news conference. He called on the people of Michigan to pray for the families of the victims and those that were wounded. He called the day’s events terrible.
– John McNeill contributed to this story
