A man is fighting for his life after a dispute turned violent at the Decatur Library in metro Atlanta, with police now actively searching for 44-year-old Medicus Brown on charges of aggravated assault with the intent to murder and firearms possession during a felony. Decatur police were called to the library on Sycamore Street around 5:10 p.m. following reports of the shooting, as reported by FOX5 Atlanta.
Found in the library's upstairs computer room with gunshot wounds, the victim was quickly transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in critical condition. "It's sad," in an interview obtained by Atlanta News First. Eyewitness accounts and police statements suggest that an altercation over a computer escalated to physical aggression leading to Brown drawing a gun and firing multiple shots at the victim.
The incident has triggered a wave of concern among both officials and the community, Lt. John Bender of the Decatur Police Department expressed that "Everybody should be able to go to the library, or any public building for that matter, in Decatur or anywhere else and be safe from violence like this," which was affirmed by Atlanta News First. As investigators continue their work, the library remained closed today to address the incident and enhance safety measures according to Alison Weissinger, director of the DeKalb County Public Library.
With the library serving as a pivotal community hub, the shooter's actions have undermined a place of refuge and learning Weissinger highlighted the library's commitment to safety stating "The safety and well-being of our staff and patrons is our top priority," as the investigation unfolds they urge anyone with information to contribute by calling the Decatur Police Department at (404) 373-6551, as reported by Atlanta News First.
