VIDEO: Shooting in Jefferson County Courthouse

Illinois State Police are investigating a shooting incident Tuesday that occurred in the Jefferson County Courthouse in Mt. Vernon.

Preliminary information indicates that a Jefferson County Sheriff's Department correctional officer was transporting 55-year-old Fredrick Goss to a courtroom for a jury trial. While in the sally port of the courthouse, the handcuffs were removed from Goss as he was not to appear before the jury in restraints. Once the handcuffs were removed, Goss was transferred from a transport vehicle into a wheelchair. While in the wheelchair, Goss grabbed the correctional officer's sidearm and, after a struggle, disarmed the officer. During a continuing struggle for the sidearm, the gun went off.

A Jefferson County sheriff's deputy assigned to courthouse security observed the incident on the sally port surveillance camera and went to the sally port to aid the correctional officer. The deputy fired his gun, with the bullet striking Goss. 

Goss was taken to a local hospital and then transferred to a St. Louis area hospital for treatment.

The Illinois State Police Zone 7 Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation.

Due to the graphic nature of the video, it is age-restricted and must be viewed on YouTube. Click "Watch on YouTube" above