Judge dismisses charges in Decatur Library shooting, rules shooter acted in self-defense

DECATUR, GA—The charges against a man who shot and injured another man after a dispute inside a library in February have officially been dismissed.

DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Shondeana C. Morris ruled that Medicus Brown, 44, acted in self-defense in the shooting that took place on Feb. 2 at the Decatur  Library, loThe Decatur Library, located at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown Decatur. 

The 5 p.m. shooting at DeKalb County’s main library branch sent  shockwaves through the community and prompted the temporary closure of the library as officials assessed the incident. The library later reopened with enhanced security, including  stationing a police officer and security guard during all hours of operation.

On April 28, a DeKalb County Grand Jury indicted Brown on charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. 

Brown’s defense attorney filed an Immunity Motion on his behalf on May 8, asserting that the shooting was self-defense. 

During the Aug. 6 hearing that Judge Morris held on the Immunity Motion, the defense called five witnesses: the librarian on duty that day, a library security guard, a library patron, an officer with the Decatur Police Department, and a woman who was driving by the library and witnessed an altercation between Brown and the victim outside the building earlier that same day.  All five witnesses presented evidence in support of Brown’s claim that he acted in self-defense. 

The evidence provided by the five witnesses established that Brown and the other man had been in an ongoing dispute throughout that day that culminated in the physical altercation inside the library.  The librarian, library security guard and the library patron testified that the victim had Brown in a chokehold just prior to the shooting.  They also testified that Brown appeared to be in imminent danger of receiving a serious injury or death. 

Judge Morris found the testimony of the witnesses to be credible and issued an order the following day on Aug. 7, formally dismissing the charges against Brown. 

The DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said it does not plan to appeal the ruling or seek additional charges in connection with the shooting.

“Our decision reflects our commitment to justice, fairness, and transparency,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “Accordingly, based on the evidence and our findings, the case against Brown is now closed.”