STEUBENVILLE – Records show an eastern Ohio judge shot and wounded outside his courthouse was overseeing a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the man suspected of shooting him.
Authorities say suspect Nathaniel Richmond was fatally shot by the judge’s bailiff during the Monday altercation. The judge also fired shots.
Jefferson County Judge Joseph Bruzzese Jr. underwent emergency surgery underwent surgery at a Pittsburgh hospital after the shooting and is expected to survive.
Richmond was the father of a Steubenville High School football player convicted of rape in 2013.
Court records show Richmond filed the lawsuit against the Jefferson County Metropolitan Housing Authority in April.
Bruzzese was overseeing the case. A hearing on a motion by the housing authority to dismiss punitive damages claims was set for Aug. 28.
The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court is calling the shooting attack on the 65-year-old judge a cowardly ambush.
“The attempt on Judge Bruzzese’s life in a cowardly ambush reminds us all of the very real potential for violence against judges. Violence against judges represents an attack on the Rule of Law, the foundation of our country. I urge all court employees, especially judges, to take extra precautions both in your personal and professional activities. The entire judiciary stands with Judge Bruzzese and his family as they remain in our prayers.” –Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor
Bruzzese was shot Monday morning near the county courthouse. Sheriff Fred Abdalla says courthouse video shows Bruzzese firing about five shots at the gunman, who also fired about five shots.
Attorney General Mike DeWine says Steubenville police requested help from Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. He says BCI’s special investigations, crime scene and cyber units are on the case.