Political commentator Savannah Hernandez has publicly claimed that the Austin Public Library, a $125 million facility, is being utilized as a homeless shelter, leading to what she describes as a dangerous environment. Hernandez, a contributor for Turning Point USA, stated in a social media post that during a recent visit, she encountered multiple homeless individuals throughout the building.
In a video shared on X, Hernandez detailed her experience, including an instance where she reportedly became stuck in an elevator with a man she believed to be under the influence of drugs. She claimed the individual became confrontational, and she warned children not to enter the elevator when it reached their floor. Hernandez also stated that she observed individuals with significant personal belongings and others appearing to be in distress on benches within the library.
"Every single story has a homeless person either lounging on the furniture, in the restrooms, and causing what is, quite frankly, a terrifying environment to patrons at this library," Hernandez stated. She asserted that homeless individuals, many of whom she believes are on drugs, occupy all six floors of the building.
Incidents at the Library
Hernandez pointed to two arrests that have occurred at the library within the past year as evidence of the escalating issues. In October 2025, a man identified as Harold Newton Keene, 55, was arrested after an alleged shooting in a sixth-floor bathroom. According to reports, the victim was shot in the stomach while Keene was reportedly standing on a toilet seat, prompting an evacuation of the building.
In March, Daniel Vasquez, 30, was arrested following an alleged unprovoked assault on the fourth floor. The victim was reportedly using a library computer when Vasquez allegedly struck him in the head, rendering him unconscious, and then repeatedly stomped on his head.
Hernandez suggested that the conditions at the library have led to a continued police presence nearby. The Austin Public Library, which cost $125 million, began construction in 2013 and opened in 2017, following a 10-year period from approval to completion.
