Michigan Courthouse Shooter ‘Trying to Get Home to Daughter’: Ex-Wife

St. Joseph, MI — Larry Darnell Gordon, who fatally shot two bailiffs escorting him from a hearing on a misdemeanor domestic abuse charge at the Berrien County Courthouse Monday, was facing more serious charges that could have sent him to prison for life, according to court records.

Gordon, 44, of Coloma, wrested the gun away from a sheriff’s deputy about 2:15 p.m. Monday, shot and wounded a sheriff’s deputy and a civilian, and threatened to take hostages before he was shot dead, according to a news release from the Berrien County Sheriff's Office.

Gordon had been in jail since April 20 on charges of armed first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree criminal sexual conduct during a felony, felony kidnapping, felony assault with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor aggravated domestic violence, according to Michigan State Police records.

NEWSLETTER & REAL-TIME NEWS ALERTS: Get the Top Michigan Headlines from Patch Editor Beth Dalbey

His ex-wife, Jessica Gordon, 39, said Larry Gordon “was not a violent person” but was afraid he would be convicted on felony charges of criminal-sexual conduct and kidnapping and would never again see his 6-year-old daughter, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The two divorced in February, but Jessica Gordon described the decree as “just a piece of paper,” The Detroit News reported. “I love him, will always love him,” Jessica Gordon said. “I’m very numb.”

The slain bailiffs were identified as Joseph Zangaro, 61, and Ronald Kienzle, 63, according to a news release. Zangaro was a retired Michigan State Police trooper and head of courthouse security. Kienzle was retired from the Benton Charter Township police department

SEE ALSO: Michigan Shooting Update: Inmate Took Gun from Bailiff

“Our hearts are torn apart,” Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey told reporters Monday. “They were our friends, our colleagues. I’ve known them for over 30 years.”

Image: Michigan Department of Corrections