SEYMOUR – An 18-year-old man is in custody after allegedly walking into the Jackson County Public Library in Seymour on Wednesday afternoon and opening fire.
Indiana State Police reported the shooting occurred around noon. According to ISP, the suspect, identified as Emiliano Cuevas Bravo, 18, entered the library and discharged at least one round from a long gun.
The library director stated she initially thought a display case had fallen when she heard a loud noise. However, she then saw a man with a gun. A clerk also witnessed the shooter and quickly took cover behind a desk just before a gunshot was heard.
Police reported that the suspect then proceeded to the second floor, where a heroic library patron tackled the gunman and held him until law enforcement arrived.
Seymour Police Officers were on scene very quickly and took him into custody. Officers from the Indiana State Police, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and Indiana Excise Police were also on scene within minutes. The Columbus Police Department additionally provided valuable resources during the investigation.
“Enough can’t be said about the actions of the patron inside the library and the actions that he took. Very heroic and brave and, you know, fortunately appears that possibly could have saved others from being injured more severely,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Stephen Wheeles.
While no one was struck by gunfire, one individual sustained injuries from shattered glass. Seymour Police indicated that officers swiftly took Bravo into custody, with the entire incident unfolding in approximately two minutes.
Hours after the shooting, an explosion-like sound was heard inside the library. Police stated that something had detonated inside as a precautionary measure. Authorities indicated that a detonation was also expected to occur outside the library, but further details were not immediately available.
Emiliano Cuevas Bravo has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, and intimidation. As of now, police have not released any information regarding a potential motive for the shooting.
Additional information gathered during the investigation indicated that Cuevas-Bravo went to Seymour High School earlier in the morning to target a Seymour Police Department School Resource Officer initially. Cuevas-Bravo never entered the school or made contact with the officer before he eventually left and went to the library.
The Seymour, Crothersville, and Medora library locations are closed until further notice.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
