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The man who killed two court bailiffs before officers shot and killed him at in a southwestern Michigan courthouse Monday afternoon has been identified as Larry Darnell Gordon, who was in court on several felony counts.

Larry Darnell Gordon in a 2013 booking photo. Michigan Department of Corrections

Gordon, 44, of Coloma in Berrien County, was being escorted to a hearing at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph when he grabbed a gun from an officer, shot the two bailiffs and briefly tried to take hostages, the county sheriff's office said Monday night.

Other bailiffs and police officers converged on the scene, where Gordon was quickly shot and killed, according to the sheriff's office.

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The victims were identified as Joseph Zangaro, 61, a retired Michigan State Police commander who was head of security for the courthouse, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, a retired Benton Charter police sergeant and Army veteran.

"Our hearts are torn apart," Sheriff Paul Bailey said at a news conference Monday. "They were our friends. They were our colleagues. I've known them for 30 years. It's a sad day."

A sheriff's deputy and a civilian were also shot during the altercation which Bailey said began about 2:25 p.m.

The injured deputy was identified as James Atterberry Jr., 41, a 14-year veteran of the sheriff's office who was treated at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph for a gunshot wound in the arm. The civilian wasn't identified. Bailey said that person's wounds were not life-threatening.

The courthouse was evacuated and will remain closed Tuesday, Bailey said.

There's someone shooting at the third floor of the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, where I courier. I am safe and unharmed. — Zarya Stark (@IchBinErica) July 11, 2016

They started shooting apparently as I walked out after my first pick up, as I was going to my first drop I saw emergency vehicles — Zarya Stark (@IchBinErica) July 11, 2016

#BerrienCountyCourthouse I'm safe, I had just gone to my car when it started. I have no more information than that — Zarya Stark (@IchBinErica) July 11, 2016

NBC station WOOD of Grand Rapids reported that Michigan State Police records showed Gordon was in jail on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and also faced single counts of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence.

Gordon's ex-wife, Jessica Gordon, told WOOD that she had spoken to him as recently as Sunday and was "shocked" when a deputy arrived at her home Monday to give her the grim news.

"He was an amazing man that got mixed up with the wrong people," Jessica Gordon told the station. "He loved his children and me and his mother and sister with everything that he had. Our wedding anniversary would have been tomorrow."

She said her ex-husband — whom she described as her best friend despite their having divorced — "was probably terrified of having to go to prison and not seeing his family again."

We all need to reach out and be supportive of law enforcement in our state and across the country. — Governor Rick Snyder (@onetoughnerd) July 11, 2016

Thoughts and prayers with the victims, and their families- along with everyone at the Berrien County Courthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2016

Law enforcement getting hugs from people released from Berrien Co. Court House lockdown @WOODTV pic.twitter.com/YSdkdUWI3l — Heather Walker (@_HeatherWalker) July 11, 2016

Bailey, who said he'd known both bailiffs for many years, called the incident a "tragedy."

"I lost some friends today. I'm here with a heavy heart," he said, adding: "We need prayers, and the families need your prayers especially, and we will move forward."