'It Does Not Have To Be This Way': Atlanta Mayor On Deadly Shooting

ATLANTA, GA — In an open letter to Atlanta residents Thursday, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said mass shootings have become "too common in America" and advocated for gun control.

The letter comes after police say a man shot and killed a 39-year-old woman and injured four others Wednesday at a Northside Hospital medical facility in Midtown. Atlanta Police said Deion Patterson, 24, is being charged on suspicion of aggravated assault and murder in connection with the case.

Dickens said in the letter the Midtown shooting was "far from the first time that Atlanta has experienced this anguish."

"There will be justice in this case. But that doesn’t change the fact that one woman died, and four others were seriously injured," Dickens wrote.

"It doesn’t change the fact that our city experienced a collective trauma. Families are grieving today, and our community is on edge. We will soon all be made aware of how we can appropriately show our love to these families and come together as a community in solidarity."

Dickens said the City of Atlanta is investing in police officer and firefighting training and ensuring local first responders have the equipment needed during their service. The city is also investing in non-policing activities, like violence interruption and youth engagement.

The mayor called for national action toward mental health treatment and gun control.

"We cannot accept mass shootings as normal in our country. We know it does not have to be this way. Other nations have challenges with mental health, but they don’t have this level of gun violence that we do in America. It’s the guns," Dickens said.

"While we respect the rights conveyed by the 2nd Amendment, we also need more actions to protect the rights of our citizens to go about their lives — to go to a doctor’s office, a supermarket, a gas station, their school — without the threat of being gunned down. This is a moment for healing as a community. But it is also a moment that calls us to action. Atlanta is a group project. Just as we came together yesterday to respond to this shooting, we must now come together with resolve to each do our parts to stop these horrific events from happening again, whether here in Atlanta or anywhere in our country."