Inmate and two officers dead after shooting at Michigan courthouse
Three people are dead following a shooting at a Michigan courthouse. (Supplied)
An inmate at a Michigan courthouse has shot and killed two court officers and wounded a sheriff's deputy and a civilian during a struggle to escape, and has since been shot dead by responding officers, officials said.
The two injured victims have been taken to hospital and are in stable conditions, Sheriff Paul Bailey said. The civilian was shot in the arm during the incident at the Berrien County Courthouse on Monday local time.
The bodies of those killed remained in the courthouse building as investigators began their work to establish what happened.
Officials said they planned to release the victims' names after their families were notified.
"I lost some friends today, so I'm here with a heavy heart," Mr Bailey said.
He described the officers killed as longtime law enforcement officials who had worked as bailiffs for the past 10 years.
"Our hearts are torn apart. They were our friends. They were our colleagues," he said.
Investigators have interviewed witnesses who were on the third floor of the courthouse, where the shooting took place.
They were also reviewing security camera footage.
"An inmate was trying to be moved from a cell by a deputy and a bailiff," Mr Bailey said.
A fight then occurred in the corridor between the holding cell and the courtroom, he said.
"That inmate was able to disarm one of the officers. We are still investigating to find out what officer," Mr Bailey said.
The courthouse will remain closed today and tomorrow.
The shooting follows the killing of five police officers by an Army veteran during a protest in Dallas last week. The protest was about the fatal police shootings of two black men in Louisiana and Minnesota.
READ MORE: Dallas shooter planned other attacks: police
In response to the Michigan shooting, Governor Rick Snyder asked for support for law enforcement.
"This is a particularly tough time for law enforcement, so I ask that everyone reach out (to police officers)," Snyder said.
"We need to rally together, to support one another."
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