An armed felon allegedly fired and injured three individuals at a mall food court in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon, before an off-duty Atlanta police officer shot the culprit.
A disagreement between the suspect and another individual sparked the shooting around 2:15 p.m. at the Hub food court at the Peachtree Center, located at 235 Peachtree St. in downtown Atlanta, according to Atlanta Police.
Local media said that the unidentified suspect, a 34-year-old felon, reportedly shot a 70-year-old woman from Atlanta, a 69-year-old woman from East Point, and a 47-year-old guy from Grayson.
“I’m just thankful for the very quick response by the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department, who were able to get there and help the wounded individuals,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said during a press briefing outside the crime site.
“A 34-year-old suspect armed with a handgun entered the food court and, following a brief altercation with an individual, shot that individual,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated.
“That perpetrator continued to shoot two others that were in the food court” until the unidentified off-duty police officer shot the suspect and terminated the attack, Schierbaum added.
Police were able to discover more about the shooting after reviewing video security footage.
The suspect is a felon with a criminal record that includes 11 arrests and a conviction for armed robbery.
“This is an individual that should never have been possessing a gun,” Schierbaum stated. “This individual should never have posed a threat to this community.”
First responders transported two victims to Grady Memorial Hospital, where they are in critical condition.
Emory Midtown Hospital is treating two others.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local police are investigating and have advised locals to avoid the area on Tuesday afternoon.
A witness informed local media that she was working near the Peachtree Center when police ordered her company and other nearby businesses to lock down.
The cops lifted the lockdown order after nearly an hour.
The Peachtree Center is near Centennial Olympic Park, AmericasMart, and the World of Coca-Cola.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for further information.