A gunman opened fire in the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington, Del., on February 11, killing two women and injuring two police officers. Police shot and killed the man, identified as Thomas Matusiewicz, whose son may have been embroiled in a custody dispute with one of the victims, according to The News Journal in Wilmington.
This latest violent attack at a courthouse came about a week after Texas prosecutor Mark Hasse was gunned down and as President Obama and congressional leaders renewed the debate over gun control. Steven Swensen, a former U.S. marshal and founder of the Center for Judicial and Executive Security in Saint Paul, Minn., is working with the National Center for State Courts in assessing safety at courthouses across the nation.He talked to The National Law Journal about the shooting in Delaware—and about why violent incidents are increasing despite a renewed focus on safety.
