Man opens fire at Milan tribunal, killing judge and others

A woman cries as she is evacuated from the tribunal building in Milan, Italy, after a shooting was reported inside a courtroom Thursday, April 9, 2015. Italy's interior minister says the gunman who opened fire in Milan's courthouse has been detained as he tried to flee. At least one judge was shot and killed Thursday morning by the gunman, who was in the courthouse for a bankruptcy proceeding. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) A woman cries as she is evacuated from the tribunal building in Milan, Italy, after a shooting was reported inside a courtroom Thursday, April 9, 2015. Italy's interior minister says the gunman who opened fire in Milan's courthouse has been detained as he tried to flee. At least one judge was shot and killed Thursday morning by the gunman, who was in the courthouse for a bankruptcy proceeding. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

By Associated Press April 9, 2015 2 min read

MILAN (AP) – A gunman opened fire in a Milan courtroom on Thursday, killing a judge and as many as two other people before being captured as he tried to flee on a motorbike, news reports and Italy’s interior minister said.

Witnesses reported barricading themselves inside their offices and taking cover under their desks as police hunted for the gunman. The employees trickled out, women first, followed by the men who had their court ID cards checked.

ANSA quoted the president of the appeals court, Giovanni Canzio, as identifying the slain judge as Fernando Ciampi. Quoting police sources, ANSA said two other people were killed, including an attorney. Calls seeking confirmation from police were not successful.

Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said the suspect was caught by carabinieri police as he tried to leave the scene on a motorcycle.

The shooting immediately raised questions about how the man gained entrance to the fortress-like courthouse, given visitors to the building must pass through metal detectors.