Authorities have reported that a police chase occurred through two Georgia counties on Tuesday in connection with a bus hijacking that resulted in one person being fatally shot.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, the events unfolded around 4:35 p.m. ET in downtown Atlanta. Officers were alerted to a report of gunfire on a Gwinnett County Transit bus and a potential hostage situation.
The Atlanta Police Department stated in a press release that a pursuit was initiated when the bus fled the location upon the officers’ arrival at the scene.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stated that the hijacking involved the suspect holding the bus driver at gunpoint.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum reported that the bus had 17 individuals onboard, including the driver, during the incident.
As the chase was underway, authorities received a distressing 911 call from a relative of one of the bus passengers. The caller reported receiving text messages indicating that the bus had been hijacked and that innocent people were being held against their will. According to Schierbaum’s statement during a press conference on Tuesday evening, this call added to the urgency of the situation and heightened the police’s concern for the safety of the passengers.
According to the chief, another 911 call was received by the police from the bus during the pursuit. The call remained open and provided valuable information that helped the authorities to bring an end to the hostage situation.
According to law enforcement officials, the pursuit covered several jurisdictions as they tried different tactics to stop the bus. The chase finally came to an end in Stone Mountain, located in DeKalb County, around 16 miles away from the initial location, after a SWAT vehicle rendered the bus inoperable.
According to a statement from the DeKalb County Police Department, the Bearcat was positioned by the SWAT officers in a strategic manner to ensure that no possible escape routes were available.
Police have reported that they were able to apprehend the suspect, a 39-year-old man from Stone Mountain, without any further incident.
During the bus clearance, SWAT officers discovered a gunshot victim, as per DeKalb County police. Sadly, the victim passed away while being transported to a local hospital in critical condition, stated Atlanta police. The identity of the victim has not been disclosed yet, as the authorities are waiting for the family to be notified.
Schierbaum stated that the authorities are currently investigating the time the shooting incident took place.
There were no additional reported injuries.
Atlanta police have confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing at this time.
Officials reported that there was an incident at a food court in a downtown Atlanta shopping center on Tuesday afternoon. The shooting resulted in three people being injured, and an off-duty Atlanta police officer was compelled to shoot the armed suspect. This event was completely unrelated to the subsequent hijacking and shooting that took place on the bus.
According to Schierbaum, the individual responsible for the bus hijacking had boarded the bus near the shopping center. However, there is no evidence linking him to the previous shooting. Schierbaum also mentioned that both suspects in these incidents are convicted felons.
Mayor Dickens expressed strong condemnation for the recent surge in gun violence that took place on Tuesday, attributing it to the overabundance of firearms in the hands of individuals.
He expressed his concern about the increasing number of people possessing guns and using them in violent acts. “It’s time for all of us to stand up and say that we’ve had enough,” he said. He also conveyed his gratitude towards the Atlanta Police Department and other agencies present at the incident for their efforts in minimizing the potential danger.