By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — A 20th District Court security guard fatally shot a man who lunged at the guard with a knife inside the Dearborn Heights Justice Center on Dec. 17.
The man has been identified as Marking Henning, 48, of Dearborn Heights.
Henning was in the lobby of the building, 25637 Michigan Ave., about 8:45 a.m. and refused to place his belongings in the required basket during the entrance screening process.
He then pulled out a knife and allegedly lunged toward the guard, who reportedly drew his weapon and shot the man multiple times.
The armed security guard is a former Dearborn Heights police officer who is privately contracted by the 20th District Court.
Michigan State Police were contacted to take over the investigation. The motive for the incident remains unknown until further details are revealed.
“We’re in the process of interviewing everybody that was inside the building at the time,” Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw said in a statement released that afternoon. “Deceives are also going through security video evidence.”
The building was put on lockdown and court proceedings were cancelled for the day.
Nearby schools Westwood Cyber High School and Daly Elementary also were placed on lockdown as a precaution until about 10:15 a.m.
No other injuries were reported from the incident.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])