Witnesses react to inmate attack

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - Courts were in session and other county business was being done at the Hamilton County Government Center Friday morning. But, when an inmate attacked a deputy outside a courtroom all that changed in a matter of minutes.

24-Hour News 8 spoke to people who were inside the government center when the shot was fired.

"People came in rushing in saying an officer was down, a deputy was down," said Terri Barrett.

Terri was in the prosecutor’s office on the first floor.

"They started pulling us back behind the glass and stuffing us out the back way for our safety," said Terri.

But, Terri was concerned about moving outside the building.

"It was scary. We were all in the back. We were frightened to go out the door thinking is he out front or are we trapped," said Terri.

Teresa Burtner was in the building on another floor.

"We were on the third floor standing outside of courtroom two and all of a sudden the prosecutor came running out, going down the hallway and told us to get out, there had been a shot fired," said Teresa.

Officers moved quickly to get everyone out of the building, and with in an hour and a half people were allowed to return.
Most court activity was halted for the remainder of the day.