Decatur Library Shooting Leaves One Critically Injured, Suspect at Large

Downtown Decatur Library to remain closed as police investigate the incident and search for the suspect

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A shooting incident at the downtown Decatur Library on February 2nd has left one man in critical condition. The library will remain closed for the rest of the week as police investigate the incident and search for the suspect, Medicus Brown, who is wanted for aggravated assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The community has expressed concerns about safety and the role of the library in serving the unhoused population.

Why it matters

The Decatur Library shooting raises concerns about public safety and the ability of community spaces like libraries to serve all members of the public, including the unhoused population. The incident highlights the challenges libraries face in balancing their role as a safe, welcoming space for all with the need to maintain order and security.

The details

According to police, the shooting occurred around 5:10 pm on February 2nd after an argument between the victim and the suspect, Medicus Brown. Brown, a 44-year-old Decatur resident, is currently wanted by police for aggravated assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The victim remains in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital.

  • The shooting incident occurred around 5:10 pm on February 2, 2026.
  • The downtown Decatur Library will remain closed for the rest of the week following the shooting.

The players

Medicus Brown

A 44-year-old Decatur resident who is wanted by police for aggravated assault with intent to murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in relation to the Decatur Library shooting.

Decatur Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the Decatur Library shooting and searching for the suspect, Medicus Brown.

Grady Memorial Hospital

The hospital where the victim of the Decatur Library shooting is currently in critical condition.

DeKalb County Public Library

The library system that operates the downtown Decatur Library, which will remain closed for the rest of the week following the shooting incident.

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What they’re saying

“We have to do better. Decatur is such a wonderful community. It saddens me that there is not a resource center for our unhoused community within the downtown area. The library shouldn't have to be the one to solve this issue.”

— Tanya Fairbanks (Facebook)

“Frightening situation?? A man was shot in the Decatur Library. So, nobody is going to talk about the problem of the unhoused having nowhere to go in Decatur but the library...Or how the library is having to support all those issues and lost the mission of being a safe place to read books? What a strange oblique statement for a library full of books and words to make and say nothing.”

— Walter Kellar (Facebook)

What’s next

Police are still working to locate the suspect, Medicus Brown, and the investigation into the shooting incident is ongoing.

The takeaway

The Decatur Library shooting highlights the challenges community spaces like libraries face in balancing their role as a safe, welcoming space for all with the need to address complex social issues like homelessness. This incident underscores the importance of developing comprehensive solutions to support the unhoused population and ensure the safety of all library patrons.