Multiple Victims Shot At Michigan Courthouse

A deputy sheriff was wounded during a shooting at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan, on Monday afternoon which reportedly left three dead. The officer was shot in the left arm and finger, and is in stable condition, according to WSBT, who reported that the victims were all transported to a nearby hospital. The shooting took place on the third floor of the courthouse. There have been local reports that three people were killed, according to WZZM, who spoke with an employee from the county prosecutor's office. The Berrien County Sheriff confirmed these reports during a press conference.

The Michigan State Police said they were responding to the situation, and Governor Rick Snyder said the scene has since been secured. Snyder took to Twitter to note that the situation is now under investigation. He wrote, "MSP secured the scene at the Berrien County courthouse and started its investigation into the shooting that occurred this afternoon." Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey told WSBT that the "situation was under control by 3 p.m." ET, although the courthouse is currently on lockdown. According to local reports, two court bailiffs were killed, along with the shooter.

A spokesman for the Michigan Department of Corrections, Chris Gautz, told The Washington Post, "We had a probation officer in the courtroom when it happened, and the gunman ran right past [her] and the rest of the folks."

At a news conference Monday, Bailey said the public "went for shelter once the shooting occurred, and brave officers were able to come to the rescue and bring the shooter down." It was unclear how the suspect obtained the weapon. The Washington Post reported that according to Berrien County's undersheriff Chuck Heit, the bailiff's who were killed were both armed and "deputized by the sheriff." Multiple civilians were hurt during the incident, and at least one was shot but is in stable condition. The situation is currently under investigation, and more information will be made available by the county sheriff's office Monday night.