ATLANTA, GA – On Tuesday afternoon, a food court at Peachtree Center in downtown Atlanta turned into a scene of terror when a shooting erupted, injuring three people. The chaos was halted by an off-duty Atlanta police officer who also shot the suspect, capturing him to put an end to the incident.
The Atlanta Police Chief Schierbaum reported that the man behind the shooting was a 34-year-old convicted felon. He instigated the situation by getting into an altercation with another man at the venue, who became his first victim. As the situation escalated, he shot two other people, not identified as being part of the initial conflict.
The three victims, a 70-year-old woman and a 69-year-old woman from Atlanta and East Point, respectively, along with a 47-year-old man from Grayson, were all swiftly transported to a local hospital. Upon admission, they were alert and responsive despite the trauma.
The swift response to the situation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Atlanta Police, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and others. In an official statement provided by Chief Schierbaum, it was revealed that the arrested suspect was no stranger to law enforcement, with 11 prior arrests.
A conference attendee, Amina Sam from New York, recounted how she witnessed the events unfold, from the arrival of the first responders to witnessing victims being carted off for medical assistance. Sam, who was also in the vicinity the day prior for a nail appointment, was scheduled to leave Atlanta shortly after the incident.
Per protocol for incidents involving police officers, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been assigned the task of conducting further investigations into the event.