UPDATE Aug. 21 at 6:08 p.m.:The shooter was identified as Nathaniel Richmond, the father of Ma'Lik Richmond, according to Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin.
Ma’Lik Richmond served around 10 months in a juvenile prison after he and another high school football player were convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl at a party.
WHIO reported that Hanlin told The Associated Press authorities were not aware of a connection between the rape case and the shooting.
The victim, Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese underwent surgery at a Pittsburgh-area hospital but is expected to survive.
Credit: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, Pool
Credit: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, Pool
ORIGINAL STORY:
A man suspected of ambushing an Ohio judge outside the Jefferson County Courthouse on Monday morning died after a court probation officer returned fire, according to multiple reports.
Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Joseph Bruzzese was shot as he walked toward the entrance of the courthouse just after 8 a.m., the Herald-Star reported. He was taken by helicopter to a Pittsburgh-area hospital for treatment, according to the newspaper.
Steubenville City Manager Jim Mavromatis told WTOV that Bruzzese was speaking after the shooting, although authorities did not immediately say what condition the judge was in. Witnesses told the news station that they heard what sounded like seven to eight gunshots.
Mavromatis told the Herald-Star that a court probation officer saw the shooting and returned fire, killing the suspected shooter. Police arrested another man, who was in the car with the suspected shooter, the Herald-Star reported.
Neither the suspected shooter nor his suspected accomplice were immediately identified.
Officials told WTOV the courthouse would be closed Monday, in light of the shooting. Jefferson County Commissioner Thomas Graham told the news station that some court employees saw the shooting.
"(I) think that everybody needs a little time to settle down a little bit (and) get their thoughts together regarding this very tragic situation,” Graham said. “Our prayers go out to Judge Bruzzese and his family.”
Authorities continue to investigate the case.
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