23-year-old man accused of shooting, paralyzing library patron surrenders

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: August 24, 2012 - 7:31 PM

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A 23-year-old man charged with shooting and paralyzing a Minneapolis library patron has surrendered to police, authorities said Friday.

Timothy L. Harper, of Richfield, turned himself at the Fifth Precinct station Tuesday. He then admitted to the June 13 shooting in the Franklin Library of Macdad Abdullahi, a 42-year-old homeless man who emigrated from Sudan, police said.

Abdullahi was washing up and brushing his teeth in the bathroom when Harper approached and said something he couldn't understand, according to police. Police have said that Harper then shot Abdullahi "without provocation," striking his spine.

Harper was identified as the suspect and charged by warrant on July 18 with first-degree assault, but police believed he had fled the state.

According to the complaint, Harper explained to his brother that he thought Abdullahi was going to attack him.

Harper was jailed in lieu of $250,000 bail.

PAUL WALSH