Library Director Doug Raber said the man was using the computers around 3:15 p.m. Monday when he became upset by that a few junior high students nearby were being noisy. He said staff member heard the man swear and tell the kids to “shut up,” but didn’t immediately intervene.The Gazette reports that despite initial concerns by staff, the Marion Library decided to review surveillance video and review the situation with its staff before contacting the police. Officers contact the unidentified man on Tuesday and he reportedly was apologetic for losing his temper and responding the way that he did.
One patron who was in the library that day said the man told a library employee to “Do you your (expletive) job.” As the man left the building, she said she heard another comment that startled her.
“It was scary,” said the woman, who asked not to be identified due to her safety concerns. “He was shouting, yelling and swearing. He said next time he’d come back and shoot everyone with a gun.”
The woman said the threat was not directed at anyone specific. A staff member assured her they would report the incident to police. But police said they did not learn about the incident until about four hours later when the woman who heard the threat called them. A short time later, Raber called police to make his own report.
The unidentified man is now banned from the Marion Public Library and has been officially warned about his behavior, but has not been charged with any crimes.