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ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — A prisoner was being moved at western Michigan courthouse when he disarmed an officer and shot and killed two bailiffs Monday before officers killed the gunman, a sheriff said.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said at a news conference that a deputy sheriff and a civilian were also shot and wounded.
Bailey said the inmate was being moved from a holding cell at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph when a “fight occurred.” He said the man was able to disarm an officer. He said the inmate got hold of the gun and started shooting.
Bailey did not release information on the inmate, including what charges he faced.
“I stand here with a heavy heart. A person has shot two bailiffs. They’re both deceased,” Bailey told reporters.
Other people in the area of the shooting sought shelter before “brave officers were able to come to their rescue and take the shooter down,” the sheriff said. He didn’t elaborate.
Bailey said he felt “terrible” about the deaths.
Berrien County, which borders Indiana, is in the far southwestern corner of Michigan.