A routine Thursday at the Martin Luther King branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library turned into a crime scene when someone was shot in the parking lot and rushed to a hospital in critical condition. Staff and patrons inside the Near East Side branch were briefly placed on lockdown while first responders and Columbus police secured the area. As of Thursday night, investigators said no suspects were in custody and the case remains open.
What officials say
According to NBC4, the shooting happened at about 5 p.m. when a vehicle pulled into the library’s parking lot. Someone inside the vehicle got out, exchanged words with another person, and gunfire followed. Employees immediately called 911, and emergency crews transported the wounded person to a nearby hospital, where they were described as being in critical condition.
Columbus police told the station that the investigation is active and ongoing and that, at the time of the report, no arrests had been made.
Library response and location
The Martin Luther King branch, located at 1467 E. Long St. on Columbus’ Near East Side, serves as a neighborhood hub for homework help and after-school programs. The branch’s address, hours, and services for families and teens are listed on the Columbus Metropolitan Library website.
Library staff alerted law enforcement as the incident unfolded, and the branch reopened after a brief lockdown once officers cleared the scene.
History and community role
The current MLK branch opened at its E. Long Street location in 2018 and was dedicated with ties to the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood. Local coverage of the branch’s history and its role in the community has been detailed by Axios.
Investigation and tips
Columbus police say detectives are canvassing the area and following up on leads as the probe continues. Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus police non-emergency line at (614) 645-4545 or call 911 for emergencies, according to the City of Columbus Emergency Communications Center at columbus.gov.
We will update this story as city and police officials release new information.
