Officials: Judge killed in courthouse shooting

[ladyspur]

Here come the copy cats.

Friday, March 11, 2005 Posted: 10 AM EST (1540 GMT)

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- A Fulton County Superior Court judge was killed and three other people were wounded Friday when a defendant grabbed a gun from a deputy sheriff and opened fire, officials said.

The shooting occurred about 9 a.m. in Judge Rowland W. Barnes' eighth-floor courtroom. Barnes was dead at the scene, Judge Gary Spencer told CNN Radio. The court reporter and a deputy were also wounded. A witness told CNN that another sheriff's deputy was seen lying on the ground outside.

All four victims were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, said Sgt. Clarence Huber of the Fulton County Sheriff's Department. A search for the suspect, identified by police as Bryan Nichols, 34, was under way.

A witness told CNN the suspect took his tow truck at gunpoint outside the courthouse and fled the scene.

The gunman "told me to get out of the truck. I told him he can have the truck. And I walked away," said Deronte Franklin.

There were reports of other carjackings outside the courthouse.

Police and emergency vehicles surrounded the courthouse, and those inside said they were locked in courtrooms and offices.

Link

[Johnny_5]

I hear now the courtroom reporter also was killed. 2 deputies shot, a journalist beaten and several vehicles carjacked. I really wish the technology from Minority Report was available.