Guns / Firearms, State Judges

Judge Shot In Ambush-Style Attack Outside Courthouse

The judge is expected to survive.

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Yesterday morning, an Ohio judge was shot outside of the Jefferson County Courthouse in Steubenville in an ambush-style attack. According to police, the assailant jumped out of his car, ran up to the judge, and immediately began shooting, but the judge and a probation officer at the scene returned fire, resulting in the attacker’s death.

Common Pleas Judge Joseph J. Bruzzese Jr. was shot in the stomach several times at point-blank range. Here’s more information from the Washington Post:

[Judge] Bruzzese drew a gun and fired at least five rounds at the shooter, possibly hitting the attacker, Jefferson County Sheriff Fred J. Abdalla told reporters during emotional remarks Monday morning.

“This individual laid in wait for our judge,” Abdalla said, tearing up during his remarks. “It just hurts. First thing on Monday morning, you have a judge shot in front of his courthouse … This was an ambush and an attempted murder on our judge.”

Judge Joseph Bruzzese

“If there wasn’t a probation officer,” Abdalla said, “this gentleman would have kept shooting until he killed the judge.” Years earlier, Abdalla had urged Judge Bruzzese to carry a weapon with him at all times due to the “nutcases” who may try to bring him harm and retaliate against him in light of his position.

The suspect has been identified as Nathaniel Richmond, whose son, Ma’lik Richmond, was convicted four years ago in a Steubenville rape case that garnered national attention. Judge Bruzzese, who spends the majority of his time on the bench dealing with criminal matters and some civil matters, had nothing to do with the case. Judge Bruzzese was, however, presiding over a wrongful death case in which Richmond was a plaintiff.

According to Abdalla, Richmond was shot three times, but it is unknown at this time whether it was gunfire from the judge or the probation officer that hit him. That will be determined after the bullets are removed from Richmond’s body.

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Judge Bruzzese was airlifted to a Pittsburgh-area hospital and taken into surgery after the shooting. The judge is expected to survive the attack.

Ohio judge shot in ‘ambush’ carried out by father of man convicted in Steubenville rape case, officials say [Washington Post]
Judge shot outside Ohio courthouse returns fire; suspect killed [CNN]
Shooting reported at Ohio’s Jefferson County Courthouse [WTOV]

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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