3 people injured in shooting at Atlanta food court: suspect shot by off-duty officer

June 12, 2024June 12, 2024

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City officials in Atlanta reported that three individuals and a 34-year-old suspected shooter were shot at a food court in Atlanta on Tuesday.

According to Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, an off-duty Atlanta police officer intervened and shot the suspect, who was still armed at the time, after gunfire erupted at Peachtree Center in downtown Atlanta. Schierbaum stated at a subsequent news conference that the suspect initiated the shooting following a dispute.

The suspect, identified as a convicted felon with 11 prior arrests, reportedly opened fire after a brief altercation with one individual at the Peachtree Center food court. Subsequently, the suspect shot two additional individuals who were present in the food court.

Among the injured were a 47-year-old man, a 69-year-old woman, and a 70-year-old woman, all of whom were transported to local hospitals alongside the suspect, as announced by city officials.

“I’m grateful for the swift response of the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department in assisting the wounded individuals,” stated Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during the news conference.

The building was placed on lockdown in the aftermath of the incident, as initially indicated by Mayor Dickens in a post at 2:48 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Later updates clarified that one of the four individuals shot is believed to be the suspected shooter. Dickens urged the public to “avoid the area” in subsequent communications.

The Peachtree Center Food Court, situated in the bustling Peachtree Center district of downtown Atlanta, encompasses a range of shops, dining establishments, and offices. The mall has since been reopened to the public.