Judge, 2 others killed at Atlanta courthouse

ATLANTA - A man on trial for rape grabbed a deputy's gun and opened fire at an Atlanta courthouse today, killing a judge and two other people before escaping and triggering a manhunt across several southeastern states.

Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes and a court reporter died from gunshot wounds in the 9am shooting at Fulton County Courthouse, said Georgia Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor.

A Fulton County deputy sheriff also was killed and another wounded, Atlanta Police spokesman John Quigley said. The deputy who lost her gun was shot in the mouth but was expected to survive, he said.

The suspect, identified by police as Brian Nichols, 33, escaped down a staircase, gunning down a second deputy outside and then carjacking at least one vehicle, police and witnesses said. He also pistol-whipped a journalist during the escape.

Tow truck driver Deronta Franklin was parked near the court in downtown Atlanta when a man he identified as Nichols opened the door and pointed a gun at him.

"He was calm and cool," Franklin told CNN. "He said 'Get out of the truck."'

Authorities in Georgia and neighboring states launched a massive manhunt for Nichols, appealing to the public to report any sightings. Electronic highway messages were posted in Georgia with information on the vehicle Nichols was believed to have taken after abandoning the tow truck.

About 30 schools in Atlanta were locked down while authorities searched for the gunman.

The shooting occurred less than two weeks after the husband and mother of a federal judge in Chicago were shot to death, raising further questions about the security of the nation's judicial officials.

Investigators believe Nichols was able to get a gun by overpowering the deputy who was escorting him into court, said Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Alan Dreher.

It was not clear whether Nichols was handcuffed or in shackles at the time. The gunman then proceeded into the court, where he held those inside hostage and shot the judge and court stenographer, Dreher said.

Nichols was on trial before Barnes for rape, assault, kidnapping and several other felonies. His first trial ended in a hung jury last week.

Barnes, 64, presided over a number of high-profile cases, including that of Atlanta Thrashers hockey star Dany Heatley, charged in a 2003 car crash that killed teammate Dan Snyder.

Last month, the judge ordered a woman who killed her 5-week-old daughter to voluntarily undergo a medical procedure that would prevent her from having more children.

"He was one of the best judges I've worked with," said Steven Kellis, a defence lawyer and former prosecutor who argued cases before the bearded jurist. "He was very fair to both defence lawyers and prosecutors."

- REUTERS