Man Booked in Fatal Shooting at Courthouse : Courts: Victim was escorting his daughter to a hearing involving custody of a child fathered by the suspect.

A 30-year-old man was booked for investigation of murder Friday in the courthouse shooting of his former girlfriend’s father.

Melvin Davis Robinson, 45, of San Bernardino was shot to death while trying to protect his daughter, authorities said. The estranged couple were about to attend a child custody hearing, police said.

Lynn Waller of San Bernardino was taken into custody immediately after the 9:40 a.m. shooting Thursday. Bystanders ran for cover when three shots were fired on the third floor of the courthouse, according to police spokeswoman Sherrie Guerrero.

Robinson was escorting his daughter to a court hearing involving the custody of a child fathered by Waller. The child was not present.

The victim’s family had sought a restraining order against Waller because of threats, said Greg Timpany, a police spokesman.

Court officials have at times considered using metal detectors, but the courthouse was not equipped with the security devices, according to Fea Herrick, director of court services.

The superior and municipal courtrooms in the facility are guarded by sheriff’s deputies and county marshals.

Herrick said searches of visitors have been used as a security measure for some cases but are not a routine measure.