Local law enforcement officers secure an area in front of the Federal Buildng in Wheeling, WV, Wedneday, Oct. 9, after shooting outside the courthouse. The US Marshals Services says officers fired at the man after he shot up to two dozen rounds at the courthouse. Scott McCloskey/The Intelligencer/AP
A retired police officer armed with an assault weapon and a handgun fired up to two dozen shots at a U.S. courthouse in West Virginia on Wednesday before police returned fire and killed him, authorities said.
Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger identified the gunman as Thomas J. Piccard, 55, of Bridgeport, Ohio. He was a retired Wheeling police officer. Schwertfeger did not say whether Piccard used both weapons during the assault on the Wheeling Federal Building or speculate on a motive. Officials said they had no knowledge of any sort of note left behind by Piccard.
