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Video: 2 Bailiffs Killed, Deputy Wounded in Michigan Courthouse Shooting Identified

Police late Monday identified the slain officers as Joseph Zangaro, 61, a retired Michigan State Police commander, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, a retired sergeant with the Benton Charter Township Police Department.

July 12, 2016
Video: 2 Bailiffs Killed, Deputy Wounded in Michigan Courthouse Shooting Identified

 

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Two bailiffs in a southwestern Michigan county courthouse were killed in a shooting by an inmate as they escorted him to a hearing, the county sheriff said Monday.

The suspect in the shooting at the Berrien County Courthouse was killed by other officers, County Sheriff Paul Bailey said. A deputy was also wounded, reports USA Today.

Police late Monday identified the slain officers as Joseph Zangaro, 61, a retired Michigan State Police commander, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, a retired sergeant with the Benton Charter Township Police Department.

Authorities identified the gunman as Larry Darnell Gordon, 45. The sheriff's office said Gordon was in jail awaiting several charges and disarmed one of the bailiffs as they escorted him to a court hearing.

After shooting the bailiffs, he tried to take hostages, but other bailiffs and officers exchanged fire and killed him.

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The injured sheriff's deputy, James Atterberry Jr., 41, was reported in stable condition at Lakeland Regional Hospital.

The sheriff's department is investigating the shootings along with the St. Joseph's Police Department and Michigan State Police, Bailey said.

Related:

Gunman Kills Two Bailiffs, Wounds Deputy in Michigan Courthouse

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