Michigan inmate was handcuffed before he fatally shot 2

Larry Darnell Gordon, the inmate who stole an officer’s gun and shot four people, including two fatally, while he was being moved from a holding cell inside the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan, was handcuffed at the front of his body before the incident occurred, according to Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey.

Gordon, who was being held on sexual assault and kidnapping charges, somehow managed to steal a gun from an officer in court despite the handcuffs, shooting two bailiffs dead and injuring two others. He took hostages for a brief period and tried to leave through a door in the courtroom, Bailey said.

Court bailiffs shot and killed Gordon, according to Bailey.

The killer was a recent divorcée with a family, according to The Associated Press.

Bailey said in a press conference that the court bailiffs “were heroes” and went “into the gunfire” to kill Gordon.

“I could just say at this time they were great people and our hearts are broken for their families and their kids,” he said of the two bailiffs who lost their lives. “Both of them were just class acts.”

He drew parallels between the heroism of the bailiffs and members of the Dallas Police Department, who braved gunfire to protect protesters during last Thursday night’s shooting “without thinking of own personal safety.”

“If you can keep our officers in your prayers I’d appreciate it,” Bailey said.

Yesterday, Rep. Fred Upton, R-Michigan, a St. Joseph native, said in a statement, “What occurred today in my hometown breaks my heart. My thoughts are with our entire community — our friends and neighbors.

“We must do better to prevent these types of tragedies from occurring,” he added.

State police are investigating the shooting, according to Gov. Rick Snyder.