Why would anyone take a gun, go to work, and commit suicide there? Why would his office be better than just any place outdoors?
If the suicide was a sudden decision, the victim couldn't have a gun handy - the courthouse does not allow guns; and though it's possible for a judge to sneak one in, there is no real need to do so. Judges have armed guards already.
If the suicide was a planned decision, why go to work, write papers whole day, and only then end it all? Who can even do such a thing, and why to do the work at all? If the work was that important, there will be more tomorrow anyway.
A judge dying in his office most likely means that he was simply there when he was killed. He couldn't be easily killed anywhere else. A sniper could, of course, take a position 500 yards away from the judge's house and kill him on the way home. This means that the killer was not a sniper, and he had no rifle, and he was not going to bother with establishing a [vulnerable] position. Getting to the judge in his office is certainly the most straightforward method. The complexities of getting a silenced gun, and of getting it through the detector, are purely technical, and can be managed. For example, take an overhead projector on a stand, or a computer, or a light fixture, and wheel it in through the detectors. It will beep since it's full of metal - but who is going to take it apart to look for an extra pound of steel that isn't supposed to be there? Who is going to remember that fact if the gun was prepositioned a week ahead of the murder?
The article says judges are allowed concealed carry into the courthouse—though that doesn’t mean it’s suicide.
Why would anyone take a gun, go to work, and commit suicide there?
It’s a good question, but maybe because it isn’t at home... the people there would be “equipped” to handle it...being law enforcement. And they would be quite sensitive in notifying family?
On the other hand, if someone murdered him, why wouldn't someplace outdoors be way better than a courthouse with security and cameras and all?
Unless the murderer is someone courthouse security trusts. Courthouse closes at 5:00. Waste the judge at 5:30. Casually leave. Drop the weapon in the trash miles away, securely wrapped in a McDonald's bag. Shut up.