The University of Texas opened the sixth floor of the Perry-Castaneda Library on campus Thursday morning, the place where 19-year-old Colton Tooley took his own life two days before.
The corner where he died is filled with long rows of book shelves. The area is now blocked off with a sign that reads, “closed for renovations.”
Other than the closed area, there are no noticeable signs of the shooting.
Library employees say the sixth floor is normally one of the busiest areas of the building. It offers a large collection of literature.
Counselors are now available to library staff who returned to work after Tuesday’s traumatic events.
“We didn’t know what to expect, but we knew we were coming back to a different place, a place where something very serious had happened. Of course we are relieved that there were no more injuries than there was, but our thoughts are very much with the family and friends at this time because they are part of our community as well,” said University of Texas Libraries Chief of Staff, Doug Barnett.
The library director says a set of emergency procedures helped everyone evacuate the building safely on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, police investigators are trying to determine Colton Tooley's motive. Investigators removed evidence from his South Austin home Tuesday and are searching his computer to find clues.
Detectives say they know where Tooley got the AK-47, but are not releasing that information at this time.
