A situation unfolded last Friday at the St. Louis Public Library when a man identified as 21-year-old Elhadj Mbemjue refused to leave the premises after being asked to by a security guard.
Things quickly escalated when Mbemjue allegedly confronted the guard, flicked a lit cigarette at him, and then doused him in lighter fluid. Police were called to the scene and attempted to arrest Mbemjue, but he refused to identify himself and continued to be combative. Officers say he even threatened to blow up the building and harm everyone inside, adding that the guard was lucky police arrived when they did or he would’ve killed him.
While in custody, Mbemjue reportedly spat on an officer during the booking process.
According to court records, just days prior on October 16, he had been sentenced to five days in jail for assaulting a security guard at the Foundry. This latest incident occurred at the library located in the 1300 block of Olive Street. He now faces multiple charges, including first-degree terrorist threat, resisting arrest, and multiple counts of assault.
This situation could have ended a lot worse.
