Police are searching for a gunman responsible for leaving one person dead and at least four others wounded in a Midtown Atlanta shooting. According to CNN, the victims are all women.
Additionally, the victims range between the ages of 25 to 71, with a 39-year-old woman as the deceased victim.
The Suspect Has Been Identified As Deion Patterson, 24
On Wednesday afternoon, the Atlanta Police Department alerted the public that an active shooting occurred at 1110 West Peachtree Street NW.
APD is investigating an active shooter in the area of 1110 W Peachtree St NW. Please shelter in place, or stay out of the area. pic.twitter.com/uRIBECRQDT
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) May 3, 2023
Channel 2, who was at the scene, saw what appeared to be hundreds of heavily-armed police officers outside of the Northside Hospital facility.
Northside Hospital is cooperating with law enforcement following the shooting at our midtown #Atlanta location earlier this afternoon. We urge people in the area to shelter in place and follow instructions from law enforcement on the scene. pic.twitter.com/52tRjmpqf7
— Northside Hospital (@NorthsideHosp) May 3, 2023
Authorities have released multiple photos of the accused shooter. In the photos, the suspect is seen wearing a black hoodie and carrying a bag. Furthermore, the man is seen pointing a handgun inside a set of glass doors.
The Cobb County Police Department has become involved in the search for Patterson. At 3:49 PM, the department alerted the public via Twitter that they are searching for the suspect in Vinings, Cumberland, and the Truist Park areas.
*Suspected shooter*
Cobb officers continue search in Vinings, Cumberland, Truist Park areas. https://t.co/71s1e2iQqg— Cobb County Police Department (@CobbPoliceDept) May 3, 2023
Multiple Agencies Responded To Mass Shooting Incident, Traffic Shut Down
Multiple agencies, including Atlanta police, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Tech Police, Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, and MARTA police, responded to the situation. Additionally, authorities evacuated people from the Northside Hospital building and the surrounding area.
“Anyone in the area is asked to secure their building and shelter in place,” police said. “Anyone not in the area is asked to stay away.”
At 3:06 PM on Wednesday, the shelter-in-place order was lifted.
As of 3:06pm – The shelter-in-place order has been lifted in Midtown Atlanta.
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) May 3, 2023
The Suspect Reportedly Attended Medical Appointment With Mother Day Of Shooting
Patterson had initially attended a medical appointment at the building on Wednesday, to which his mother reportedly accompanied him, reported CNN.
During the appointment, he allegedly became agitated before pulling out a handgun and shooting; a police source told the outlet.
“The damn VA gave him some messed up medication. And all he wanted was an Ativan,” his mother, Minyone Patterson, told The Daily Beast.
According to CNN, it has been revealed that Patterson is a former Coast Guardsman.
“[Patterson] entered the Coast Guard in July 2018 and last served as an Electrician’s Mate Second Class. He was discharged from active duty in January 2023.”
Furthermore, the outlet reports that the coast guard is working closely with the Atlanta Police Department and other authorities to assist with the shooting investigation.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, authorities have not released any further motive regarding the shooting. Additionally, they are offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the suspect’s “arrest and indictment.”
