ST. JOSEPH, MI - Larry Darnell Gordon was handcuffed when he wrested a Berrien County sheriff's deputy's firearm in a fight before he shot and killed two courthouse bailiffs, Sheriff Paul Bailey said Tuesday, July 12.

Gordon, 44, had been cooperative with police in the past and was not considered an extreme threat to officers before Monday's killings inside the Berrien County Courthouse.

He was handcuffed with hands in front of his body, but not shackled, when he started fighting with sheriff's Deputy James Atterberry Jr., 41, in a corridor outside of a courthouse holding cell.

Gordon shot Atterberry, who survived, and killed bailiffs Joseph Zangaro, 61, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, who responded to the fight and shots being fired. Gordon was shot and killed when two other sheriff's deputies responded.

A civilian also was wounded. Kenya Ellis has been identified as a security guard for Benton Harbor High School.

Police did not release the names of the deputies involved in Gordon's killing.

Atterberry is hospitalized in stable condition while a female court worker, whose name was not released, is recovering. It was not clear this morning if she remained hospitalized.

Bailey, who said he has received hundreds of calls, messages and emails from around the country offering condolences and prayers, spoke outside of the courthouse early Tuesday.

He said the victims' families, law enforcement and the community are in mourning.

Both slain men had long careers in law enforcement before taking the bailiff jobs. Bailey was close friends to both.

Bailey said that investigators were returning to the scene early this morning after a long night to piece together what happened. Police are going to review any videotape available and continue to talk to witnesses.

Police are trying to determine "if he reached out and talked to anybody" about the escape attempt, Bailey said.

The courthouse was closed Tuesday but is expected to open on Wednesday with added security to ease any fears of workers or courthouse visitors.

Gordon was being transferred from a courthouse holding cell to a courtroom when a fight broke out.

He was facing two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, felonious assault and aggravated domestic violence, records showed. A weapon was allegedly used in one of the assaults, records showed.

He was known to police but had been cooperative in the past, Bailey said.

He started the fight with the deputy "which caused the mayhem yesterday," Bailey said.

He said that police and court officials would look at everything to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.

"We move people every day to court," Bailey said.

He said the bailiffs acted heroically.

"This could have been a lot worse if they hadn't been so brave."

John Agar covers crime and other issues for MLiveE-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar

