A criminal defendant in Person County tried to attack people in a courtroom, including a bailiff, just before noon Thursday, Roxboro police say.

An officer in the courthouse shot someone, and one person is in critical condition, according to a joint news release from the Person County Sheriff's Office and the Roxboro Police Department. It's not clear if the criminal defendant is the person who was taken to the hospital.

“There is not a community threat. The courthouse will remain closed throughout the remainder of the day,” Sheriff Jones said in a statement. 

“Both agencies are working together during this difficult time. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone involved. We would ask the community to please be patient during this process,” Roxboro Police Chief David Hess said in the release.  

The State Bureau of Investigation will investigate the shooting, which is standard practice for police shootings.

The Person County courthouse is in Roxboro, about 30 miles north of Durham.