Russian officials say three people have been killed and four injured in a shootout at a courthouse in a Moscow suburb. Russia's Investigative Committee, the country's chief investigative body, said in a statement yesterday the incident took place when five handcuffed defendants tried to escape as they were escorted by two guards at the Moscow Regional Court.

The body said one of the defendants tried to strangle one of the guards, and the defendants managed to escape and seized the guards' weapons. A shootout with the court's guards ensued, and three of the defendants were killed. Two guards were injured.