A suspected gunman is in custody after an active shooter situation inside a building that left at least one person dead and four others injured, according to the Atlanta Police Department.
The shooting occurred around noon inside a building on West Peachtree Street between 12th and 13th Streets, the Atlanta Police Department said.
Police said they are aware of “multiple people injured,” and later updated that at least four people were rushed to Grady Hospital for treatment while a fifth was pronounced dead at the scene.
Update as of 12:42pm – We are working an active shooter situation inside a building on West. Peachtree St, between 12th St and 13th St. We are aware of multiple people injured. No suspect is in custody.
â Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) May 3, 2023
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told reporters all five victims were shot in a waiting area on the 11th floor of the medical facility where the shooting took place.
All five victims were women, the chief added, with a 39-year-old woman being killed. The other four victims were ages 25, 39, 56 and 71.
Police identified the suspect as 24-year-old Deion Patterson, advising the public to call 911 and to not approach him because he is considered armed and dangerous.
Schierbaum said he does not know why Patterson shot the women, but when asked whether his mother was injured, the chief said she was not.
According to the chief, the suspect carjacked a vehicle before fleeing the scene. Police have recovered the vehicle, the chief noted.