Fulton Co. Judge shot and killed in courthouse shooting (BREAKING Fri 9A)

WAGA-TV/WSB-TV Atlanta | 3.11.05

[mhking]

This is a breaking news situation.

A man entered a courtroom in the Fulton County Courthouse this morning and shot a Fulton County Sheriff's deputy, a clerk and a judge; there are reports from both WSB and WAGA, the judge is deceased.

The perp has carjacked multiple vehicles -- now on his third -- and is still at large.

I've just come from downtown Atlanta, and the city is a madhouse.

[sarasota]

That is what judge Napolitan said as well. And Nancy Grace was on, her voice terrible stressed who said she's been in courtroom where there have been 30-50 people accused of violent crimes and none of them shackled. The perp of these killings once tried to smuggle a large knife into the courtroom in his shoe. Time for some courtroom changes.

[MEG33]

That is my biggest fear.

[eyespysomething]

Won't happen. Its Atlanta.

[AnAmericanMother]

Nancy Grace has probably tried cases in that courtroom. Certainly on the 8th floor.

She knew Judge Barnes pretty well.

You KNOW she's stressed out.

All of us are.

[mhking]

Just a query...but do you or any have an opinion as to why it is being reported that this might be a planned escape.

Apparently (and according to WSB Radio), this particular courtroom is in the old Fulton County courthouse (which is connected to the newer one) building. That particular building had larger courtrooms but no holding cells.

As a result, Nichols was being held in the jury room with an armed deputy. Nichols took the gun from the deputy, shot her, and barged into the courtroom where a different hearing was taking place.

I'd wager that Nichols planned when to make his move - hence the notion of a "planned escape."

[JeffAtlanta]

I live in Forsyth and am in Alpharetta/Roswell all the time. I thought he looked familiar, not from UPS, but I have seen him somewhere.

Yeah, I live in Forsyth as well right on the Alpharetta border and work in the North Point area. It seems very close to home !

[Bonaparte]

"...why would he be in shackles?"

Perhaps a better question would be, "Why wasn't he wearing a stun belt?" This was a defendant charged with a crime of violence.

[Gumption]

Save the state some money.

Charge the state for the bullet.

[eyespysomething]

Boortz was a little freaked out too, talking about how many times he'd been in that courtroom when he was practicing law.

[AmericanInTokyo]

For what it's worth, here is Exit 260, at Windy Hill (the one off 75, near I-285) (Hotel bears no particular relationship to this developing situation, just for reference):

[AnAmericanMother]

Not my courthouse, we're a block away though.

I wasn't in the office this morning.

At this point nobody knows where the guy is.

[FourtySeven]

Charge the state for the bullet.

Of course! That'd only be fair. :)

[Lurking in Kansas]

Charge the state for the bullet.

Charge me. I'll gladly buy it.

[retrokitten]

Thanks for that.

[SeaBiscuit]

Someone needs to get the hook for the person Fox has covering this..what dumb remarks she keeps making.

[Republican Red]

I was in that courtroom a few months ago for jury duty. Very surreal day in Georgia.

[Howlin]

Taking up a collection? ;-)

[mhking]

For what it's worth, here is Exit 260, at Windy Hill (the one off 75, near I-285)

The distance between Windy Hill and 285 there is less than a mile. That stretch of highway is among the busiest in the southeast (if not the nation).

[CAluvdubya]

IMHO he will wait until dark to move

Prayers this guy is caught before nightfall!

[Dog]

Michael who far is the shooting from Windy Hill Road?