Mar 22, 2008

Pepper spray incident in library draws complaints

Richmond man allegedly sprays patron in altercation

Bay Area News Group

A group of people complained of eye irritation, difficulty breathing and coughing after a 21-year-old Richmond man sprayed pepper spray at another patron at the Berkeley Main Library on Thursday afternoon, police said.

Police arrested Davion Butler about 2 p.m. Thursday after he sprayed Sabre -pepper spray at a 52-year-old Oakland man on the first floor of the Kittredge Street library, said Sgt. Mary Kusmiss, police spokeswoman.

The name of the victim was not released.

Kusmiss said the two men had been involved in shouting matches and other altercations in the library in the past.

The library security staff had negotiated with them to stay away from each other in the library, Kusmiss said.

On Thursday, Butler went over to the victim on the second floor and sat down next to him. When the victim asked him why he was sitting there, the suspect reportedly said, "You've given me trouble here before but this time I have something for you," Kusmiss said.

The victim dashed downstairs to alert library security, but Butler went after him, police said.

On the first floor, Butler sprayed the victim directly in the face for about 10 seconds, police said. When the victim went outside, the suspect went after him and sprayed him a second time, police said.

Officers responded to the scene after several people called 911 and arrested Butler at Fulton Street and Bancroft Way for assault with a caustic chemical.

The victim and a security guard who was nearby were treated for eye irritation on the scene. Six to 10 people inside the library complained of coughing and eye irritation but they did not require medical treatment, Kusmiss said.