Defendant shot to death, deputy wounded in courtroom shooting

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A murder defendant was shot and killed and a sheriff's deputy was wounded in a Milwaukee County courtroom Wednesday morning, Police Chief Arthur Jones said.

The shooting happened about 11:35 a.m. on the third floor of the county Safety Building, which also houses the sheriff's department, police said.

The defendant reached for the deputy's gun in the courtroom and it discharged, striking the deputy in the leg, said Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.

The defendant was then shot and killed by an officer in the courtroom, Jones said.

The deputy's injuries were not life threatening, Clarke said.