Charges Dismissed Against Man Who Shot Another During Dispute Inside Decatur Library

DECATUR, Ga. – Criminal charges against a 44-year-old man accused of shooting and injuring another man inside the Decatur branch of the DeKalb County Public Library have been dismissed after a judge ruled that he acted in self-defense.

Medicus Brown had been indicted on charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with the February 2, 2026, shooting.

DeKalb County Superior Court Chief Judge Shondeana C. Morris granted Brown immunity from prosecution after an August 6 hearing in which multiple witnesses testified that the other man had Brown in a chokehold immediately before the shooting.

The incident began shortly after 5 p.m. on February 2 when Decatur Police officers responded to the library following a report of a person shot inside.

Investigators subsequently obtained warrants for Brown’s arrest. He surrendered at the DeKalb County Jail on February 5.

A DeKalb County grand jury indicted Brown on April 28. His defense attorney filed a motion for immunity on May 8, arguing that Brown’s use of force was legally justified as self-defense.

Under Georgia law, defendants can seek immunity from prosecution when they contend their use of force was justified. At an immunity hearing, the defendant must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the use of force was legally justified.

During Brown’s August 6 hearing, his defense called five witnesses: a librarian who was working that day, a library security guard, a library patron, a Decatur Police officer and a woman who witnessed an earlier confrontation between Brown and the other man outside the library.

Their testimony showed that Brown and the man had been involved in an ongoing dispute during the day before the confrontation escalated inside the library.

The woman who witnessed the earlier confrontation testified that she saw the two men arguing outside and saw the other man throw a cinder block at Brown.

Three witnesses who were inside the library provided further evidence supporting Brown’s self-defense claim. The librarian, security guard and patron testified that the other man had Brown in a chokehold immediately before the shooting.

According to their testimony, Brown appeared to be in imminent danger of suffering serious injury or death.

Judge Morris found the witnesses credible and determined that Brown had met his legal burden to establish that he acted in self-defense.

On August 7, Morris issued an order granting Brown’s immunity motion and formally dismissing the criminal charges against him.

Prosecutors said they conducted their own review of the evidence and testimony presented during the hearing and also found the witnesses to be credible and unbiased.

The prosecution will not appeal the judge’s decision or pursue additional charges against Brown in connection with the shooting.

“This shooting was tragic and we recognize its impact on the victim and the community at large,” prosecutors said in announcing the outcome.

With the immunity ruling and dismissal of the charges, prosecutors said the case against Brown is now closed.