Atlanta mass shooting: One killed, four injured as suspect remains on the loose
Rachel Schilke
Video Embed
At least one person is dead and four others are injured after a mass shooting occurred inside a medical building in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday.
The suspect, who is not yet in custody, was named by police as Deion Patterson, 24. The Atlanta Police Department alerted the public to an “active shooter” situation at Northside Hospital’s Midtown location around 12:40 p.m. with “multiple people injured.” Police lifted the shelter-in-place order at 3:06 p.m.
HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE ATLANTA ‘COP CITY’ PROTESTS
Chief Darin Schierbaum said five people were shot. Four injured victims, ages 25, 39, 56, and 71 years old, were transported to the hospital and are “fighting for their lives” at Grady Hospital. One person, aged 39, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mayor Andre Dickens said all of the victims are women. Schierbaum said he is unable to specify whether the victims are patients or employees.
Investigators released four photos of Patterson, saying he is “believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached” and is still at large as of 2:46 p.m. Schierbaum said officers believe he carjacked a vehicle to escape. Officers may have apprehended the vehicle used but cannot say for certain.
Schierbaum said the shooting occurred inside the waiting room. Patterson’s mother, who was uninjured, is currently cooperating with police, he said.
A source within the police department told CNN that Patterson arrived at the medical center with his mother for an appointment. At some point, the source said Patterson became agitated and started shooting using a handgun. The gun is not in possession of law enforcement at this time, Schierbaum said.
Atlanta Police spokesperson Chata Spikes also confirmed that Patterson was there for a personal appointment but could not describe the nature of the appointment due to HIPAA regulations.
Northside Hospital, in a tweet, confirmed the shooting at its location and said it is “cooperating” with law enforcement following the shooting.
“This tragedy is affecting all of us, and we ask for patience and prayers at this time,” the hospital said.
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) said that his children were on lockdown as a result of the shooting.
“My own two children were on lockdown this afternoon,” said Warnock to CNN. “I have two small children, and their schools were on lockdown responding to that tragedy. They are there, I’m here, hoping and praying that they are safe, but the truth is none of us is safe.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters during a press briefing on Wednesday that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are “aware” of the Atlanta mass shooting.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Spikes for confirmation on Patterson’s appointment.