2016 St. Joseph courthouse shooting

Mass shooting in Michigan, U.S. December 2025 February 2025 St. Joseph, Michigan, United States 42 6 36.4 N 86 28 38 W region:US-MI_type:event inline,title 2016 7 11 2:25 p.m. ET Mass shooting 3 (including the perpetrator) 2 Larry Darnell Gordon Attempted prison escapeBerman Mark Izadi Elahe Two bailiffs killed, deputy sheriff injured in Berrien County courthouse shooting https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/07/11/michigan-state-police-responding-to-courthouse-after-reports-of-shooting/ July 11, 2016 The Washington Post The Washington Post July 11, 2016 On July 11, 2016, Larry Darnell Gordon, an inmate, opened fire on the third floor of the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan, United States, killing two bailiffs and injuring a sheriff's deputy. Gordon, who was facing a multitude of charges that carried a possible life sentence, was being taken to a holding cell following a courthouse hearing when he disarmed an officer and attempted to take hostages. Moments after taking hostages, other court officers shot and killed Gordon. Details Prior to the shooting, Gordon was handcuffed and escorted by a deputy sheriff from the Berrien County Courthouse to a holding cell following the conclusion of a hearing.Two bailiffs, gunman dead in shooting at Michigan courthouse, sheriff says https://www.foxnews.com/us/michigan-gunman-who-killed-2-bailiffs-faced-multiple-felony-charges July 11, 2016 Fox News Fox News Channel July 11, 2016 He was facing a multitude of charges.http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/07/michigan_courthouse_shooter_fa.html Michigan courthouse shooter faced 20 charges, including sex assault on teen Michigan Live July 12, 2016 July 12, 2016 Emily Monacelli According to the county sheriff, Gordon had been handcuffed in front rather than behind his back, and the restraint was not linked to a belly chain that would further restrict movement.http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michigan-courthouse-shooting-cuffed-in-front-suspect-sheriff-says/ Sheriff: Courthouse shooting suspect was cuffed in front CBS News Associated Press July 12, 2016 July 12, 2016 In an escape attempt, Gordon attacked a deputy sheriff on the third floor of the courthouse, in an area not accessible to the public. He managed to disarm and shoot Deputy Atterbery once and two bailiffs, Security Supervisor Zangaro and Court Officer Robert Kienzle responding to the noise of the struggle. He then escaped into a public hallway, where he briefly took hostages when cornered by four other responding bailiffs (Ken Field, Milt Russell, Tom Schultz and Rick Lull). As Gordon moved toward an unsecured stairway he pointed the weapon in the direction of the bailiffs who then shot and killed him. In the course of stopping Gordon, a civilian (Kenya Ellis) was shot, receiving non-life-threatening wounds to her arm.Ellis Ralph 2 bailiffs, suspect killed at Michigan courthouse, official says http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/11/us/michigan-courthouse-shooting/ July 11, 2016 CNN Turner Broadcasting System July 11, 2016Silverstein Jason Ng Alfred Several reportedly dead in shooting at Michigan county courthouse http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/dead-shooting-michigan-county-courthouse-article-1.2707367 July 11, 2016 New York Daily News July 11, 2016Krietz Andrew 2 bailiffs, shooter dead in Berrien County Courthouse shooting http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/07/11/reports-shots-fired-berrien-county-courthouse-st-joseph/86953034/ July 11, 2016 Detroit Free Press USA Today July 11, 2016 The assailant fired a total of six shots, thus emptying the revolver, meanwhile the two responding bailiffs fired a combined total of 13 shots.Final Report on July 11 Courthouse Shooting https://www.moodyonthemarket.com/final-report-on-july-11-courthouse-shooting/ 2024-12-13 Moody on the Market en-US Victims Gordon killed two bailiffs. He also injured sheriff's deputy James Atterbury Jr.PRESS CONFERENCE: Two bailiffs, gunman killed in Berrien County identified http://wsbt.com/news/local/breaking-officer-injured-after-shots-fired-at-berrien-county-courthouse July 12, 2016 WSBT Sinclair Broadcast Group July 11, 2016 The injured were hospitalized at Lakeland Medical Center and listed in stable condition.Parker Rosemary Fourth Berrien Courthouse victim is school security guard http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/07/fourth_berrien_county_victim_r.html July 12, 2016 Michigan Live Michigan Live Media Group July 12, 2016 Both slain bailiffs were retired police officers. The bailiffs killed were identified as: Joseph Zangaro, 61, the courthouse security director who had been with the department since 2004 after having retired from the Michigan State Police after 25 years.Livengood Chad Williams Candice Bailiffs ID'd in fatal shooting at Berrien County Courthouse http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/07/11/shooting-berrien-county-courthouse/86955776/ July 12, 2016 The Detroit News Digital First Media Newspaper July 11, 2016Security Supervisor Joseph Zangaro https://www.odmp.org/officer/22902-security-supervisor-joseph-zangaro Officer Down Memorial Page The Officer Down Memorial Page July 12, 2016 July 11, 2016Gallardo Michelle Bradley Ben Inmate kills 2 bailiffs at Berrien County courthouse in St. Joseph, Mich.; victims identified http://abc7chicago.com/news/inmate-kills-2-bailiffs-at-michigan-courthouse-victims-idd/1422319/ July 12, 2016 ABC7 WLS-TV Chicago July 11, 2016 Ron Kienzle, 63, an Army veteran who had been with the department since 2005 after having retired from the Benton Township Police Department after 20 years.Deceased bailiffs, gunman named in shooting at St. Joseph (MI) courthouse http://www.wndu.com/content/news/Emergency-crews-respond-to-shooting-at-Berrien-County-Courthouse--386335651.html July 12, 2016 WNDU July 11, 2016 Perpetrator Larry Darnell Gordon (October 11, 1971 – July 11, 2016) was a resident of Coloma, Michigan. In April, he was charged with six counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct; three counts of sexual child abuse; two counts each of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault by strangulation, and resisting or obstructing police; and one count each of drug possession, kidnapping, and unlawful imprisonment. According to police, these charges were filed after it was discovered that Gordon had entered into a year-long sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl in October 2015, started making sex videos of her, and locked her in a shed on one occasion.http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/07/12/larry-gordon-bailiff-shooting-berrien/87008852/ Berrien County Court shooter's past: Pipe bombs, guns, teen sex tapes The Detroit Free Press July 12, 2016 July 13, 2016 Robert Allen Gina Damron Tresa Baldashttp://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/07/berrien_county_courthouse_shoo_3.html#incart_river_index_topics Teen victim of Berrien County courthouse shooter details sex abuse, drug use Michigan Live July 14, 2016 July 14, 2016 Emily Monacelli He faced a possible life sentence for the charges.http://www.cbsnews.com/news/michigan-courthouse-shooting-gunman-faced-life-on-rape-kidnap-charges/ Michigan courthouse gunman faced life on rape, kidnap charges CBS News Associated Press July 13, 2016 July 13, 2016 According to the girl, Gordon would forcibly give her methamphetamine in exchange for sex, occasionally rape her, strangle her, and assault her with a variety of weapons, all the while recording the acts. She also alleged that Gordon held her captive inside the shed for approximately two months.http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/07/berrien_county_courthouse_shoo_2.html Courthouse shooter accused of keeping teen in shed for sex, videotaping acts Michigan Live July 13, 2016 July 13, 2016 Rosemary Parker Police were now investigating his possible connection to a similar crime in 2006. In addition to the aforementioned charges, Gordon faced two other charges of aggravated domestic assault and assault with a dangerous weapon, in relation to an incident involving his ex-wife. On April 20, following a police welfare check on the couple's home in January, Gordon was arrested on an outstanding warrant filed in relation to those charges. During the arrest, he barricaded himself inside the house and later escaped through a back door. He was found hiding under a porch several streets away by a police dog. Later, police discovered the teenage girl inside a shed on Gordon's property, along with drugs, related paraphernalia, weapons, and other items. On the day of the shooting, Gordon was scheduled to be in court to have the warrant dismissed due to the charges involving the teenage girl. Previously, in 1992, Gordon was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for possessing pipe bombs. In 1998, he was sentenced to more than four years in state prison for eluding police officers. In 2001, he served 51 months in federal prison for firearms charges. In 2013, Gordon was put on probation for stealing fireworks from a temporary stand. Aftermath The Berrien County Courthouse closed on July 12 and increased its security as a result of the shooting. A makeshift memorial was set up near the Berrien County Sheriff's Department. The Berrien County Sheriff's Department pledged to review its guidelines for transporting suspects of violent crimes, while judges across Michigan were asked to review the security plans of courthouses.Michigan courthouse shooting prompts request for statewide security review http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/supreme_court_justice_asks_mic.html Michigan Live July 12, 2016 July 12, 2016 Brad Devereaux Funeral proceedings for Zangaro and Kienzle were scheduled for July 15 and July 18, respectively.http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/07/funeral_friday_for_slain_berri.html Funeral Friday for slain Berrien County court officer Joseph Zangaro, 61 Michigan Live July 13, 2016 July 13, 2016 Rosemary Parkerhttp://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/07/services_monday_for_slain_cour.html#incart_river_index_topics Services Monday for slain Berrien County court bailiff Ron Kienzle, 63 Michigan Live July 14, 2016 July 14, 2016 Rosemary Parker Reactions Governor Rick Snyder traveled to the courthouse the evening of July 11 for a press conference, during which he stated, "This is a particularly tough time for law enforcement. This is a terrible event to have happen, and we need to rally together."2 Bailiffs Shot To Death At A Southwestern Michigan Courthouse https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/07/11/485594940/two-bailiffs-shot-to-death-at-a-southwestern-michigan-courthouse NPR July 11, 2016 July 12, 2016 U.S. Representative Fred Upton, who is a St. Joseph native, released a statement saying, "What occurred today in my hometown breaks my heart. My thoughts are with our entire community — our friends and neighbors. One thing is clear: we must do better to prevent these types of tragedies from occurring."https://abcnews.go.com/US/michigan-inmate-handcuffed-fatally-shot-bailiffs-courthouse/story?id=40511385 Michigan Inmate Was Handcuffed Before He Fatally Shot 2 Bailiffs at Courthouse ABC News July 12, 2016 July 12, 2016 Michael Edison HaydenWilbur Tom Turner Lynn July 11, 2016 Upton Statement on Berrien Courthouse Shooting http://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398663 Office of Fred Upton July 12, 2016 See also Law Michigan List of homicides in Michigan Brian Nichols Tyler courthouse shooting Gun violence in the United States List of American police officers killed in the line of duty List of killings by law enforcement officers in the United States References Category:2016 in Michigan Category:2016 mass shootings in the United States Category:2016 murders in the United States Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Michigan Category:Deaths by firearm in Michigan Category:July 2016 crimes in the United States Category:Mass shootings in Michigan Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2016 Category:St. Joseph, Michigan Category:2006 in American law Category:Attacks on government buildings and structures in the United States Category:Attacks on courthouses Category:Shootouts in the United States