a deputy sheriff, and Wright, a civilian-security specialist employed by the Department, were staffing the central control room, which contained monitors of the courthouse closed circuit cameras, including those in the area where Nichols was held. Lee asked Wright to get her breakfast, and around that time Tamer allegedly vacated the control room to attend to his paramedic gear.
As Nichols was being escorted by a single female deputy within the courthouse holding area, he overpowered her and obtained a service weapon. Nichols then proceeded to Judge Barnes's chambers and threatened and subdued his staff, who activated a duress alarm. As the alarm sounded in the unmanned control room, Nichols entered Judge Barnes's courtroom, where he shot and killed Judge Barnes and court reporter Julie Ann Brandau.
Nichols then fledfrom the courthouse and shot another deputy outside. After hijacking multiple cars at different parking garages in the area, Nichols eventually escaped from the area on a subway train. Nichols traveled approximately six miles from the courthouse to northwest Atlanta, where, several hours later, he encountered and shot David Wilhelm, a federal immigrations and customs agent who was off duty at his partially constructed home.[2]
Candee Wilhelm filed a wrongful death claim on behalf of herself and a claim on behalf of David Wilhelm's estate against Appellants and various other defendants within the Fulton County Sheriff's Department. The claims alleged that various negligent acts committed by the deputies caused David's death when he was shot by Nichols. Following a limited discovery period, the Appellants unsuccessfully moved for summary judgment