Police escorted a man from the Grainger Engineering Library on Friday after reportedly throwing a bagel at another person. Both individuals involved in the altercation remain unidentified.
The incident took place on the library’s second floor — one of the designated silent study areas.
Cell phone footage captured part of the incident, showing the man resisting arrest as officers attempted to handcuff him.
In the video, the man repeatedly called out to onlookers for help while officers restrained him against a wall. At one point, he said, “Guys, help me,” and “I was just trying to compliment her.” During the struggle, the man’s bag was unzipped and its contents spilled onto the floor.
Following the disruption, several witnesses expressed their frustration, with one person telling the man to “shut up.”
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Library staff declined to comment on the situation. Further details about the incident or any charges remain unclear.
UPDATE: Sept. 10, 1:51 p.m.
UIPD Lieutenant Joseph McCullough told The Daily Illini that on Sept. 6 at approximately 2:20 p.m., officers responded to Grainger Library at the request of staff for a subject who had made certain female students uncomfortable.
“The arrestee attempted to make romantic advances toward a group of female students and was asked to stop. He (then) threw paper at the female students then, when addressed by library staff, refused to leave the library,” McCullough said in an email statement. “UIPD arrived to assist in his removal, and the arrestee continued to address the group of female students and made them feel alarmed and disturbed.
McCullough added that the subject was formally charged after resisting arrest and removal from the building.
“The arrestee was taken to Champaign County jail on charges of battery and disorderly conduct,” McCullough said.
