NEW ORLEANS — A man who got into some type of altercation with a library security guard was shot seven times, primarily in the back, after throwing a couple of objects at the guard Saturday afternoon, according to an arrest report obtained by NOLA.com.
The shooting took place around 5 p.m. just outside of the New Orleans main library on Loyola Avenue.
The incident left Henry Mark in critical condition and security guard, Kia Simmons, 23, in jail on counts of attempted murder, illegal use of a weapon and criminal damage to property after two of the shots struck Tulane police cruisers.
The report showed that Mark was shot twice in the right armpit, once in the middle of the back, twice in the upper right shoulder and twice in the left arm.
According to the report, Mark told detectives he had been “fussing” with Simmons outside of the library before first throwing his phone and then a rock at her.
VIDEO OF INCIDENT: Warning - graphic imagery
Simmons’ version of the incident was largely the same, with her recounting that Mark had been harassing her partner and acting “aggressively” at which point she tried to get him to leave and he responded by throwing a cellphone at her and later a brick.
Simmons told officers that she drew her weapon and began firing. On a video obtained by WWL-TV, you can hear seven shots in rapid succession, followed by a pause of several seconds and then four additional shots.
The video shows Simmons firing but doesn’t show Mark being hit nor what he was doing.
According to NOLA.com, police asked Simmons how many times she fired and her response was simply, “too many.”
Pinnacle Security & Investigation CEO Chad J. Perez issued the following statement:
"On Saturday, August 5th, one of our licensed armed security officers was working an assigned post at the New Orleans Main Library location. The security officer was involved in a physical altercation that led to the officer discharging her firearm, resulting in the injury of an individual. We will not make comments regarding the incident at this time since it is currently under investigation by the New Orleans Police Department. The security officer involved has been terminated and is no longer employed by Pinnacle Security. We have made the proper notification to the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners of the incident and the change in employment status of the security officer. In response to this incident, we are in the process of having all Pinnacle Security Officers undergo refresher training on our Use of Force Policies and the Use of Force Continuum."
Later Monday afternoon, the City of New Orleans issued the following statement:
"An unfortunate event took place on the grounds of the Main Library on Saturday. We are looking at the facts of the situation. The Library remains committed to the safety of all patrons and staff. This is an ongoing investigation, and as we learn more factual information, we will share it with you."
