Shooting Closes Berkeley PL For One Day

Staff -- Library Journal, 8/17/1998

The Berkeley Public Library closed Sunday August 9 after a homeless man who was shot outside the library, entered the building just before the 1 p.m. opening time and was pursued by his attacker, who then put down his gun and asked employees to call police. According to the San Francisco Examiner, Russell Murray claimed he shot Maurice Tilmon after Tilmon threatened him with a knife. After police came, the library closed for the investigation. BPL Deputy Director Jody Bush said the two men were part of an encampment of homeless people in the garden next to the library. She said police would brief staff about responding to future threatening situations. Also, she said library staff are uneasy about the encampment, and the city will examine its status. "The irony is that we move out of this building in two months, so we won't be here for two years," Bush said.