UPDATE, 9:10 p.m.: Mayor Andre Dickens hosted a press conference about the shooting. He thanked law enforcement personnel from Cobb and Fulton Counties as well as Atlanta Police Department and college and public-school police forces and 911 operators who helped with the case.
Dickens thanked law enforcement for keeping people safe and the public for remaining calm.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum thanked his force and other local authorities for the “capable, competent, and brave response” of law enforcement across multiple jurisdictions.
“I just want you to know that we are grateful cities tonight for your partnership and the efforts of your law enforcement agency to take this individual into custody,” Schierbaum said.
Deputy Chief Charles Hampton gave a timeline of the events of the day.
Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer gave his condolences and said that his thoughts and prayers were with the families of those involved, and he also thanked everyone involved. He reminded reporters that events in cases like these can change quickly, which is why the focus of the search changed so often.
VanHoozer talked about how technology played an important role in the search, and he remarked that communication and cooperation across jurisdictions had never been as strong as it was today.
“Nobody went home today,” he said. “Everybody stayed.”
Dickens came back up to the podium to thank law enforcement again, but then he launched into a speech about the problem of “gun violence.”
“You will be hearing more from me on this,” he said, promising to bloviate even more about guns.
Video from WSB TV shows the moments police capture Patterson:
Video shows the moment Deion Patterson was taken into custody at a Cobb County apartment complex after a Midtown shooting that killed one and injured four more: https://t.co/rc7DYutOFu pic.twitter.com/zMj10tpOKe
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) May 4, 2023
UPDATE, 8:43 p.m.: Patterson has just been transported to Atlanta Police Headquarters. We’re still awaiting the press conference.
UPDATE, 8 p.m.: Atlanta shooting suspect Deion Patterson is in custody. He was reportedly apprehended at an apartment complex in Cobb County, near the Battery, the shopping and dining district adjacent to Truist Parh where the Atlanta Braves play. We’re awaiting a press conference around 8:15 p.m.
*UPDATE*: Deion Patterson has been apprehended. Details will be provided during a joint press conference with Atlanta PD.
— Cobb County Police Department (@CobbPoliceDept) May 3, 2023
#BREAKING UPDATE: Atlanta police confirmed Patterson was taken into custody in Cobb County. https://t.co/EHAw3kRFxO
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) May 4, 2023
UPDATE, 4:58 p.m.: WSB TV is reporting that “Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed that all five victims are women aged 25, 39, 39, 56, and 71. One of the 39-year-old women died from her injuries. None of them have been identified.”
UPDATE, 4:29 p.m.: The search for Patterson has now moved to Cobb County, northwest of Atlanta, in the area near Truist Park where the Atlanta Braves play.
Patterson was also identified as a former Coast Guardsman, and the Coast Guard issued a statement, which read, “Our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families. The Coast Guard Investigative Service is working closely with the Atlanta Police Department and local authorities in the investigation. Mr. Patterson entered the Coast Guard in July 2018 and last served as an Electrician’s Mate Second Class.”
UPDATE, 2:56 p.m.: APD has released another photo of Patterson.
BOLO – Deion Patterson – As of 2:46pm still at large. pic.twitter.com/NAnOr6t0Gu
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) May 3, 2023
Additionally, schools have been locked down, and the incident has affected traffic in the area.
Atlanta Public Schools Safety Alert pic.twitter.com/uLdotBhUgF
— ATL Public Schools (@apsupdate) May 3, 2023
UPDATE, 2:38 p.m.: APD has identified the suspect as 24-year-old Deion Patterson. He is still on the loose and considered armed and dangerous.
Suspect Name – DEION PATTERSON
DOB: 10/98Call 911 –DO NOT approach him
He is considered Armed and Dangerous https://t.co/9ZonHDFPva— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) May 3, 2023
ORIGINAL REPORT: An active shooter situation is underway in Midtown Atlanta after someone opened fire on West Peachtree Street on Wednesday afternoon.
One victim is dead, and at least three have been injured.
The Atlanta Police Department (APD) has asked residents in the area of West Peachtree Street between 12th and 13th streets to secure buildings and shelter in place.
The screenshot above from Apple Maps shows that the area is densely populated with businesses throughout.
“Police said no additional shots have been fired since the incident unfolded, but officers are still actively searching for the suspect and any other victims,” reports WSB Radio. “The injured victims have been taken to the hospital. Their identities and conditions have not been released.”
The APD released images of the alleged shooter, who is still on the run.
BOLO – Suspect is still at large. pic.twitter.com/M8GkXa8dmM
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) May 3, 2023
“In the photos from the APD, the alleged shooter is pointing what appears to be a handgun inside a set of glass doors. He’s wearing a gray or black hoodie and carrying a bag,” WSB reports.
Two local reporters remarked on the heavy police presence in the area.
“Channel 2′s Michael Seiden was at the scene, where he saw what looked like hundreds of heavily-armed officers outside 1100 West Peachtree Street Northwest, which is a Northside Hospital facility,” reports WSB Radio. “Multiple agencies including Atlanta police, Atlanta fire, MARTA police, Georgia Tech Police, and the Georgia State Patrol have responded to the situation.”
“A senior member of the Channel 2 Action News team is currently in the area and saw several people being taken out of the building on stretchers to waiting ambulances,” reports WSB TV. “Channel 2′s Mark Winne saw several ambulances speed away from the scene. Winne said this is the largest police scene he’s ever seen.”
Winne also reported that he heard that one of the victims is the shooter’s mother.
APD is keeping the public informed via Twitter.
“There have been no additional shots fired since the initial incident unfolded. We are currently aware of 4 shooting victims related to this situation,” tweeted the department. “Three have been transported to the hospital for treatment and a fourth has been pronounced deceased on scene. Officers are actively searching for the suspect and any other victims.”
APD also pointed out that the public should consider the shooter to still be dangerous.
“Based on our preliminary investigation, these are photos believed to be of the active shooter,” APD announced. “Anyone with any information on this person’s whereabouts is asked to call 911. The suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached.”
This is a developing story, and we’ll have updates as the situation warrants.
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