Michigan Courthouse Shooting Update: Inmate Took Gun From Bailiff

St. Joseph, MI — An inmate at a Michigan courthouse wrestled free of two bailiffs moving him from a holding cell, grabbed one of their guns and killed them both before he was shot dead, police said at a press conference Monday evening.

A sheriff's deputy and a civilian were also injured in the incident.

Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey would not name the inmate, bailiffs or deputy involved in the incident but told reporters, "Our hearts are torn apart. They were our friends, they were my colleagues. I’ve known them for over 30 years."

"I’ve been overwhelmed with calls in Texas supporting us," Bailey continued. "It’s a tragedy. You never know when something like this is going to happen. I can tell you the deputies and bailiffs are well trained. It’s one of those unfortunate situations that occurred. We need prayers, and the families need your prayers especially."

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who traveled to St. Joseph, Michigan, following the shooting, urged the state to show support to its law enforcement officers.

"I ask that all Michiganders put your prayers out to the families of lost law enforcement officials, and that we give our thoughts to the wounded," Snyder said. "This is a terrible event to have happened, and we need to rally together to support one another."

The two bailiffs were transporting the inmate to a courtroom, Bailey said. "A fight occurred," and at some point, the inmate was able to take a bailiff's weapon, Bailey said. It was still unclear which bailiff was disarmed and how the inmate managed to get the gun.

The inmate shot and killed both bailiffs, then shot and wounded a deputy, Bailey said.

He then ran into a courthouse hallway, where he shot the civilian. Two more bailiffs and "several other officers" responded to stop him, and the inmate was eventually killed.

Bailey did not say why the inmate was in jail or what court proceeding he was scheduled to attend.

Police are expected to provide another update later Monday.

This is a developing story and will be updated.