DECATUR, GA — The Decatur Library remains closed Tuesday as police continue searching for a man accused of shooting another man inside the facility.
Decatur police have identified the suspect as 44-year-old Medicus Brown. Investigators say the victim was found inside the library on Sycamore Street after officers responded to reports of a shooting Monday afternoon.
Decatur Police Lieutenant John Bender says investigators believe the shooting followed a dispute in the library’s second-floor computer room.
“The victim and the suspect Medicus Brown got into a physical altercation in that room for unknown reasons,” Bender said.
Bender says during the altercation, Brown allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired several shots.
“During that physical altercation Mr. Brown produced a firearm and fired several shots at the victim in this case. The victim was struck and transported to an area hospital and is now in critical condition there,” Bender said.
Police say the victim was taken to Grady Hospital in critical condition. Investigators say they are still working to determine an exact motive.
“I don’t believe that it was a random incident. I do believe that there was some kind of altercation between the two of them that instigated all of this,” Bender said.
Bender called the shooting shocking and says incidents like this raise concerns about safety in public spaces.
“Anytime a crime like this happens it’s definitely shocking. People want to be able to go to public buildings and public places and feel safe,” he said.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson says the county’s thoughts and prayers are with the injured man, as well as library employees and patrons who were inside the building at the time.
The county’s library director says steps are being taken to support employees and ensure appropriate safety measures are in place as the investigation continues.
Decatur police say the library will remain closed as the search for Brown continues. Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to contact Decatur police or call 911.
WSB Radio’s Jennifer Perry contributed to this story.
