Downtown Miami library reopens days after shooting

Miami-Dade police officer shoots accused gunman in library

MIAMI – The main Miami-Dade Public Library in downtown Miami reopened Friday, days after a shooting ended with one person in custody.

A Miami-Dade Public Library System spokeswoman said two men were arguing before Wednesday's shooting at the library on Flagler Street.

Miami-Dade police said Roderick Veazy, 64, opened fire at Carl Cooperstein 63, with whom he had previous issues.

Police said Cooperstein wasn't struck and ran for cover.

The library spokeswoman said others in the library also ran for cover, some hiding behind bookshelves and under desks.

"I was totally shocked," library patron Bernard Felix told Local 10 News. "Like, in my mind, I was saying, 'How can somebody even possibly get into the library without appropriate security measures?'"

Police said Miami-Dade police Officer Saul Rodriguez, who was working an off-duty detail at the library, shot Veazy.

Roderick Veazy is accused of opening fire at the main Miami-Dade Public Library in downtown Miami.

Veazy was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center and will be taken to jail once he is released from the hospital.

The library was closed Thursday so that library staff could recover from the traumatic experience, the spokeswoman said.

Although guns are not allowed at the library, there are no metal detectors, leaving some to wonder why. Still, most patrons who spoke to Local 10 said they feel safe at the library. 

"I would suggest putting detection scanners near the main entrance," Felix said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.