Larry Darnell Gordon
Larry Darnell Gordon
Larry Gordon is a prison inmate facing multiple felony charges from Berrien County, Michigan.
Courthouse Shooting
Larry Gordon killed two bailiffs, Joseph Zangaro and Ronald Kienzle in the Berrien County Courthouse Shooting 2016.
On July 11th, 2016, a fight occurred between an inmate and two officers during his transportation from his cell to the courtroom.
The inmate, Gordon disarmed and killed two baliffs, at the Berrien County Courthouse in the town of St. Joseph, Michigan.
Gordon exchanged gunfire with the deputy and shot and killed the two bailiffs.
He then went into the court area and took hostages, Bailey said.
When Gordon tried to leave through another door, two bailiffs shot and killed Gordon.
He was shot and killed by police following the struggle about 2:25 p.m. on the third floor of the courthouse, which is next to the sheriff’s department and county jail, Sheriff L. Paul Bailey confirmed at the press conference.
U.S. Representative Fred Upton said the following about the shooting:
“What occurred today in my hometown breaks my heart.
My thoughts are with our entire community – our friends and neighbors.
This tragic event reminds us all too well that our law enforcement officers have their lives on the line every day not knowing what that day will bring.
We have lost two very able public servants and we all grieve for them and their families.
As we learn more about this horrific situation, one thing is clear: we must do better to prevent these types of tragedies from occurring.”
Other politicians and distinguished members around the country also expressed their reactions to the shooting.
Ex-Wife
The ex wife of Larry Gordon, Jessica Gordon, believes he was trying to escape because he was desperate to see his family. She claims that "He's not a monster". She learned of his death at about 5:15 p.m. Monday when she was visited by a chaplain and police.
Jessica wore her wedding ring on her left ring finger, and would not discuss the reason her ex-husband was in jail.
She said they got divorced earlier this year, but he was very close to his 6-year-old daughter Cheyenne.
She said she chose to keep his last name because its his daughter's last name and they, as a family, had always been a team.
She said they had been married 19 years.