Security Fails to Stop Shooting

Despite heightened security after terrorist attacks, a man was able to carry a loaded handgun into a federal building housing FBI offices and fatally shoot an officer at a security checkpoint, authorities say.

“This is a public building, and you have to allow the public access to do business,” FBI Special Agent Hank Glaspie said outside the building where Federal Protective Services Officer Ronald C. Sheffield, 36, was killed Friday.

“Our prayers go out to the family of Mr. Sheffield,” Glaspie said. “He quietly went about protecting us on a daily basis.”

The gunman, David Serra, 28, of Chesterfield Township, was shot three times by two other protective services officers, Detroit police officer Glen Woods said Saturday. Serra was in serious condition at Detroit Receiving Hospital.

Sheffield was at the security checkpoint, about 15 feet from the door, when Serra walked into the lobby, put a paper bag containing a handgun on a counter by the metal detector and asked if he could bring it inside, FBI spokeswoman Dawn Clenney said. When he was told no, he reached into the bag and fired, she said.

Serra was diagnosed two years ago as being paranoid and delusional, his father said.

“He was under a doctor’s care, was taking his medication and was progressing well,” Sam Serra told the Detroit News for a story in today’s editions.

“I wish there were something I could do to bring this man back,” the father said. “It devastated us. My son doesn’t do that type of thing.”

Joel Vander Linden said he was waiting in line at the metal detectors when he heard a man behind him “complaining loudly . . . cussing.” He said he had turned away and was walking to the elevators when he heard the gun fire.

Sheffield was not wearing a bulletproof vest and was hit once in the chest, police said.

The shooting occurred two blocks from a federal courthouse where a hearing was held earlier in the day for three men arrested during an FBI investigation into the Sept. 11 attacks. A judge ordered the men detained.

Clenney said there was no indication that the shooting was related to the terrorist attacks.

The downtown building houses the Detroit office of the FBI and agencies including the IRS, Veterans Affairs, the National Labor Relations Board and Housing and Urban Development. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) also maintains an office there.

The federal building already had metal detectors in use, but the officers have been cautious and aware since the terrorist attacks, Glaspie said.

The building was evacuated after Friday’s shooting and closed for the rest of the day. Authorities towed a car from the street about three blocks away that state records show was registered to Serra’s mother.

Serra bought the revolver at a trading post and registered it with township police Sept. 10, the News reported.