At least three people were killed at a shooting at a court building in the United States.The incident took place at around 2.30pm local time at Berrien County Courthouse in St Joseph, Michigan, when a man on his way to jail snatched a gun from a court deputy and opened fire, killing two court bailiffs.
The shooter was later killed, reports say.
A police officer at the court was also shot, but is believed to have survived the attack in the city, 154 miles southwest of Detroit.
Streets surrounding the building were cordoned off.
Police confirmed the gunman had been shot and killed, while a deputy was hospitalised, but is in a stable condition.
County sherrif Paul Bailey said other people had been injured, but could not confirm how many.
Eyewitness Mark Laukus said: “They had a gentleman in there, in his jail greens and handcuffs.
“One of the sheriff’s bailiffs took him into another hallway, and you heard a scuffle, you heard someone hit the floor, then the courtroom bailiff went into that room, and you heard a gunshot.”
Twitter user Zarya Stark said the shooting took place on the third floor of the building.
She wrote: “There’s someone shooting at the third floor of the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, where I courier. I am safe and unharmed.”
All prisoners in the building have been accounted for, barring three being who were being held in a holding cell on the third floor.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder said: “Michigan State Police has secured the scene at the Berrien County courthouse and started its investigation into the shooting that occurred this afternoon.”
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said: “Thoughts and prayers with the victims, and their families- along with everyone at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan.”
Three dead in US courthouse shooting
