Videos show Berrien County courtroom, lobby during fatal shootings
Published 1:55 pm Friday, July 22, 2016
WARNING: The following videos contain sensitive material that may be difficult to watch.
Investigators released this video showing the the inside of courtroom 315 during the fatal shooting of two courthouse officers at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph at 2:19 p.m. July 11.
The shootings take place off screen but gun shots can be heard and people can be seen fleeing the courtroom.
Inmate Larry Gordon, who was handcuffed, wrestled a gun away from a deputy and used it to shoot and kill two court officers Joe Zangaro and Ron Kienzle during an escape attempt.
Gordon also took eight people hostage before he was shot and killed by police. A deputy and female hostage were injured, but survived.
This video shows four camera angles from a camera in the lobby outside of the courtroom.
Below is a summary timeline of events from the shooting provided by investigators:
2:19.09— Inside courtroom 315 Bailiff Kienzle motions to Deputy Atterberry that perpetrator Larry Gordon is not needed in court and can be returned to a holding cell. Atterberry escorts Gordon, who was seated in the jury area, out of the courtroom through a side door that led to a hallway.
2:19.33— Gordon’s attack on Atterberry is heard in the courtroom. Kienzle responds by running to assist Atterberry.
2:19.41— “No, no, no, don’t shoot” is heard followed by a gunshot. People scramble out of the courtroom, while others hide.
2:19.44 — Another gunshot is heard. The judge tells everyone to leave the courtroom. A female is heard saying, “Oh my God.” Kienzle is believed to have been fatally shot at this time.
2:19.58 — Security Director Joe Zangaro requests help on the third floor and unlocks the door leading to the hallway that leads to the holding cells. As he opens the door, Zangaro is fatally shot by Gordon.
2:20.03 — More gunshots and banging are heard outside the courtroom.
2:20.08 — A group of people that were hiding in the courtroom is shown running out and hiding in the southwest corner of the third floor. A bailiff responds from courtroom 327 to a call for help on the third floor.
2:20.18 — The bailiff reaches the file room door and meets a fleeing citizen, who runs past the bailiff and to the southwest corner where he hides with seven individuals who fled courtroom 315.
2:20.24 — “He’s got a gun” is heard, followed by a loud bang. “Please help me” is heard, followed by screams.
2:20.25 — Gordon runs out of file room door and into a bailiff, who tries to grab the revolver. Gordon is seen handcuffed and holding the revolver in his right hand. After passing, Gordon runs to the southwest corner where he takes hostage the eight individuals who were hiding. A bailiff draws a pistol and considers shooting Gordon but has concerns about the background. Bailiffs take cover on both sides of the lobby area to contain Gordon.
2:20.36 — Bailiffs repeatedly command Gordon to “put it down.”
2:20.44 — Gordon says “I got hostages,” “I got eight hostages.” Hostages said Gordon pointed a gun at them and gave them orders.
2:20.52 — Gordon uses a court sign to hit a glass door in an attempt to escape. Other officers arrive on the third floor.
2:21.16 — Bailiffs remain stationary while yelling commands at Gordon to drop the gun.
2:21.59 — Gordon changes his escape plan and commands hostages to move in a line. The word “stairs” is heard.
2:22.09 — A male and female hostage run away from Gordon to safety.
2:22.13 — Gordon uses a female as a human shield while holding the firearm to her head as he moves to the southeast corner where he disappears from view.
2:22.20 — Three hostages follow behind Gordon to the same corner and disappear from view.
2:22.24 — Two hostages run to safety. Ten gunshots are heard.
2:22.30 — Bailiffs advance to the corner shouting commands of “get on the ground.”
2:22.31 — The female hostage used as a shield by Gordon runs out of corner and escapes. A police officer moves forward with the bailiffs.
2:22.34 — Officers and bailiffs continue to advance. Two gunshots are heard.
2:22.36 — Two more gunshots are heard.
2:22.46 — Bailiffs/officer pull male hostage from corner. Female hostage runs out, followed by another male hostage.
2:22.53 — Others respond to secure scene and begin first aid and life-saving efforts. This includes checking citizens for injuries, first aid to the injured citizens and CPR to Gordon.