ST. JOSEPH, Mich. – A Berrien County sheriff's deputy is recovering after being shot three times Monday afternoon by an inmate who killed two bailiffs and wounded a civilian before being fatally shot by authorities at the Berrien County Courthouse.
James Atterberry Jr., 41, was shot once in the hand and twice in the arm. He is in stable condition.
Atterberry is married and is a father of five. He is a church elder and worked with juveniles before becoming a deputy.
Monday was Atterberry’s first time working the day shift. He regularly worked nights at the Berrien County jail for 13 years.
The deputy's father, Bishop James Atterberry, said he thought his son was safer working in the courthouse as opposed to being on the street.
“I’m thanking God that he’s still alive, and I’m just so sorry for the victims," Bishop James Atterberry said. "He worked in the jail for about 13 years, never had an incident. To be working in the courthouse, I even thought that was safer. We need to recognize that all of us are vulnerable to these kinds of problems. That means we should be closer, we should have better relationships and we should learn to work together to keep these kinds of things from happening.”
What happened
An inmate, 45-year-old Larry Darnell Gordon, was being moved from a cell to a courtroom when he wrestled a gun away from authorities during an altercation and shot multiple people.
Two bailiffs were shot and killed.
Atterberry Jr. was shot three times.
A civilian was also shot in the arm.
Gordon was shot and killed by authorities.
Victims identified
Joseph Zangaro, 61, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, were both killed in the shooting.
Zangaro (pictured left) was the head of courthouse security and has been employed with the Berrien County Trial Court since May 2004. He retired from the Michigan State Police.
Kienzle (pictured right) has been employed with the Berrien County Trial Court since April 2005. He retired as a sergeant from the Benton Charter Township Police Department after serving in the U.S. Army.
Both court officers were well respected amongst law enforcement and within the community.
Atterberry Jr. worked for Berrien County since August 1998 and he joined the Sheriff's Office in July of 2002.
The civilian that was shot has not been identified. She is recovering.