AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Public Library is reaffirming its commitment to safety after a life-threatening assault on Wednesday at the Central Library.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis responded to the assault within minutes and detained the suspect, 30-year-old Daniel Vazquez, according to the Austin Police Department.
Police say the suspect punched a library patron who was sitting at a computer on the fourth floor, leaving them unconscious before repeatedly stomping on their head, leaving them with life-threatening injuries.
The Austin Public Library says Davis was in the building for a meeting with library leaders to discuss safety when the incident occurred.
“When library staff initiated our emergency response protocol, she happened to be present and was able to detain the suspect while waiting for additional officers to arrive,” said Baylor Johnson, public information and marketing program manager for the Austin Public Library.
A non-fatal shooting inside the Central Library in October also raised questions about safety inside the downtown location.
Johnson explained that the library works closely with law enforcement partners, including a recently-added partnership with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to increase security on the premises.
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“Public safety is the number one priority of Austin Public Library,” Johnson said. “We want to make sure that our spaces are safe and welcoming to everyone. And so although situations like this one that happened on Wednesday are rare, we do take them very seriously.”
Vasquez was taken into custody and is currently booked in the Travis County Correctional Complex on a $100,000 bond.
He is facing a felony charge for aggravated assault with serious bodily injury.
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Records from the Texas Department of Public Safety indicate he was previously convicted for aggravated assault in Bexar County.