Investigators believe Nichols was able to get a gun by overpowering the deputy who was escorting him into court Man apprehended after Atlanta court killings 11.44PM, Sat Mar 12 2005
The suspect in the Atlanta courtroom shootings has been apprehended. US television news said Brian Nichols, 33, was taken into custody in north Atlanta after a brief standoff. The siege took place approximately 15 miles away from the scene of yesterday's shootings which left a judge and two others dead. Superior Court Judge Rowland Barnes and a court reporter died from gunshot wounds. A deputy sheriff was also killed and another wounded, police said. The deputy who lost her gun was in critical condition but expected to survive, doctors said. Nichols gunned down a second deputy outside the building and then carjacked at least one vehicle. He also pistol-whipped a journalist during his escape, police and witnesses said. Tow truck driver Deronta Franklin was parked near the court in downtown Atlanta when a man he identified as Nichols opened the door and pointed a gun at him. "He was calm and cool," Franklin said. "He said 'Get out of the truck.'" Authorities in Georgia and neighbouring states launched a massive manhunt for Nichols, appealing to the public to report any sightings. Investigators believe Nichols was able to get a gun by overpowering the deputy who was escorting him into court, said Atlanta Assistant Police Chief Alan Dreher. Nichols was on trial before Judge Barnes for the rape, assault, and false imprisonment of his ex-girlfriend. His first trial ended in a hung jury last week, but prosecutors said Nichols was acting as if the second trial would end with a conviction. Sep 3, 2004: Manhunt teenager gets life Aug 15, 2004: Man arrested after massive police hunt
Um homem em julgamento pelo crime de estupro, segundo informações de testemunhas, tomou a arma de uma policial feminina que estava próximo,  entrou na sala de audiência e disparou na direção do juiz, Rowland Barnes, 64 anos e de sua estenógrafa, Julie Brandau, 43 anos,  matando-os.
A guarda de quem Brians roubou a arma encontra-se em estado grave no hospital, mas tem chances de sobreviver. Isto aconteceu  ontem, em um tribunal de Atlanta nos Estados Unidos. O supeito, Brian Nichols, tem 33 anos, estava no tribunal no quarto dia de seu julgamento por inúmeras acusações feitas por sua ex-namorada.

Depois de deixar o tribunal, roubou o carro de um dos repórteres e fugiu. Uma grande caçada teve início com a participação  de helicópteros e centenas de policias. Foi oferecida uma recompensa de  60 mil dólares por qualquer informação que levasse a sua captura.

Segundo recentes notícias divulgadas pelos canais de  televisão dos Estados Unidos, Nichols foi detido horas depois  em  Atlanta.