- The shooter was identified as Nathaniel Richmond, the father of Ma'Lik Richmond, according to Jefferson County Prosecutor Jane Hanlin.
- Ma'Lik Richardson was convicted of raping a 16-year-old unconscious girl in 2012.
- The high school rape case gained international attention when the players involved posted an image on Instagram of the unconscious girl being dragged.
The victim
Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese underwent surgery at a Pittsburgh-area hospital, and is expected to survive.
Bruzzese was transported by a medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment. A city official said Bruzzese was talking after the shooting and is believed to be in stable condition.
RELATED: Judge shot, wounded outside Ohio courthouse
RELATED: Fellow judge says shooting of Ohio judge was no accident
The Ohio Bureau of Investigation will investigate the Jefferson County Courthouse shooting at the that resulted in a judge injured and a suspect killed, according to a statement issued by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The attack
Steubenville City Manager James Mavromatis told CNN affiliate WTOV-TV the deceased suspect ambushed Judge Joseph J Bruzzese Jr. outside the courthouse, when Bruzzese and a probation officer returned fire.
LOCAL NEWS: 2 high school students killed in Greene County crash
“We’re starting to put this whole picture together, but basically what you have is the judge is going to work, these subjects were waiting for them. He comes up, shoots at the judge. The judge returns fire,” Mavromatis said. “We also have a probation officer that was behind the judge. He returns fire as he is shot at. The subject is deceased that he shot at.”
“This probation officer has done his job. He reacted to the threat, trying to save the judge and any other bystander that may have been in the area.”
Commissioners told the station the courthouse is shut down for the day and employees will not be permitted inside.
Officials have declined to identify the suspects, but Mavromatis said both suspects have served prison time.
Jefferson County Juvenile and Probate Judge Joseph Corabi told the Associated Press the shooting must have been intended because people know where the judges park.
The AP reports Corabi and other judges park in reserved spots next to the courthouse and walk a few feet to a side entrance in what’s known as “Courthouse Alley.”
We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.
The suspect’s son — Ma’Lik Richmond
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.
Hanlin told the AP authorities were not aware of a connection between the rape case and the shooting.
RELATED: Player jailed for rape will sit out a year at Youngstown State
Ma’Like Richmond made headlines earlier this month after he attempted to walk-on to the Youngstown State University football team.
Following community outcry and a petition, the school announced Ma’Lik would sit out a year before attempting to play football for the school.
About the Author