Only a few short days since a sniper shooting killed five police officers at a Dallas anti-brutality rally, more gun violence is at hand. CBS affiliate WWMT in Michigan reports that at least four people have been shot at Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph. Three of those victims, including the shooter and two bailiffs, have died. The other, a sheriff’s deputy, was injured with his status unknown.
Once the news broke, social media users questioned how a gunman could have entered the courthouse. These facilities generally screen entrants for weapons of all sorts, but WZZM 13 fills in a few blanks. A defendant on his way to jail reportedly grabbed a firearm from a sheriff’s deputy and began firing on the building’s third floor. The New York Daily News spoke with Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey, who confirms the fatalities and adds, “Brave officers were able to come to the rescue and take the shooter down.”
Further details are still flowing forward, but Michigan State Police believe they’ve secured the scene and that there’s currently no danger to the public. The building remains under lockdown. Governor Rick Snyder also confirms the incident on Twitter.
MSP has secured the scene at the Berrien County courthouse and started its investigation into the shooting that occurred this afternoon.
— Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) July 11, 2016
The Berrien County Courthouse serves Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Mich. Facebook user Greta Volkenstein captured video from outside the building as the incident took place.
(Via WZZM 13, WWMT & New York Daily News)