Posted on 03/11/2005 8:08:53 AM PST by islander-11
Judge, Two Others Killed in Atlanta Courthouse Shooting, Manhunt Continues Friday, March 11, 2005 ATLANTA, Ga. — A man facing rape charges grabbed a deputy's gun and shot four people at the Fulton County Courthouse (search) in downtown Atlanta, killing a well-respected judge, a court reporter and a sheriff's deputy and leading authorities on a citywide manhunt. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Brian Nichols and described as a balding black male, carjacked a series of vehicles following the 9 a.m. EST shooting. Nichols, 34, is described as a balding black male, 6'1" and weighing 200 pounds, of medium complexion. He was being held on rape charges stemming from an incident in August last year. Nichols reportedly ran out of the courthouse shooting, witnesses said. He also reportedly pistol-whipped an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter during a hijacking attempt. It is not certain which vehicle Nichols escaped in. Authorities were looking for a gray Mercury Sable and checking local reports of stolen vehicles. Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes (search) died from his gun shot wounds, officials at Atlanta's Grady Hospital said. At around 10:30 the court reporter's death was confirmed by Georgia's lieutenant governor's office.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Copycat crime.
You mean besides the post right below this one in breaking?
LOL!!! Thanks, I really needed that. LOL!!!
Will this cause a groundswell of complaints about deputies carrying guns? I don't know about Atlanta but around here you have to go through security before getting into the courthouse or any court related facilities. It's about like boarding a plane. The only way you could have a gun in the courthouse is to borrow one from a law enforcement officer.
He is certainly a good shot. And pistol whipping a reporter?
The man is a one man crime wave.
Quote: He also reportedly pistol-whipped an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter during a hijacking attempt.
A liberal reporter has just turned conservative.
deputies should only be allowed one bullet and required to keep it in their shirt pocket.....
Are you kidding?
Hildebeast sez.. Get him in jail and paroled before 2008 so he can vote for ME!!!
It's only up to about 950 posts and the only thing happening on FR right now. Easy to miss.
Nope; it wasn't Cynthia Tucker. ;-)
No, someone charged with felony charges should be in chains and shackles.
My husband frequents the Fulton County Courthouse as well as other courthouses in the metro atlanta area. He's on top of this ongoing story right now. He told me the deputies get lax from time to time - and this was one of those times.
The husband has also said before that he can tell when a guilty verdict is going down because the deputies and police forces are increased around the judge, the convicted, and the people.
An unloaded gun is pretty worthless. Maybe the deputies need more training or they should allow other people to carry concealed in the courthouse.
We need to give you the Braille edition of Free Republic.
And dangling from meathooks that are on a conveyer-system, so that the perp's feet never touch the floor.
Next! You are charged with.....
Usually Judges keep firearms on their person when they are sitting in their chair. I wonder if this Judge did.
It's too bad they've stripped weapons from people in public places. Someone could have got off a shot and stopped this idiot before he shed any blood other than his own.
"No, someone charged with felony charges should be in chains and shackles."
What happened to that old "innocent until proven guilty" thing? Oh, were using European law now, I forgot.
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