Atlanta Shooting: Suspect Arrested After 1 Dead, 4 Injured In Midtown

MIDTOWN, GA — The gunman who police say opened fire at a Northside Hospital medical facility Wednesday, killing one woman and injuring four others, was taken into custody after an hourslong manhunt that unfolded around noon. Around 8 p.m. Wednesday, Atlanta Police said the suspect was in custody.

Police identified him as 24-year-old Deion Patterson. He was taken into custody unharmed after a multi-agency manhunt, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said at a news conference after the arrest.

Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer said Georgia Department of Transportation cameras helped lead police to a vacant building that was under construction near Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta, where Patterson was apprehended.

"I want to very much express our collective condolences to the families involved and know that, me personally, and I'm sure collectively from all those who were involved in today's incident, that our prayers and thoughts are with the families that have been affected by this," VanHoozer said.

Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said a handgun was recovered in the investigation.

The shooting took place in the waiting room at Northside's Midtown facility, where police said Patterson had an appointment. The facility will be closed Thursday.

Hampton said officers were dispatched to the scene after the first victim was shot shortly before noon.

One of the victims, a 39-year-old woman, died at the scene and four other women between the ages of 25 and 71 were taken to the hospital, police said. It is unknown if the women were patients or employees.

At least three of the injured victims were said to be in critical condition.

Hampton said Patterson spent about two minutes in the medical facility before fleeing and taking an unattended pickup truck from a local gas station. Authorities input the vehicle's tag into the police's license plate reader system.

Warrants were then drafted for Atlanta and Cobb County as Hampton said residences in those areas were known to Patterson. Shortly after, the system alerted authorities that Patterson may have traveled to Cobb County, leading police to notify Cobb authorities.

Atlanta Police said in an earlier update that a vehicle carjacked from near the shooting scene was recovered in Cobb County.

"It was a fairly chaotic scene," VanHoozer said. " ... There was some fear, of course, (in) the citizens in that area."

He said operators at Cobb's real time crime center filtered through several tips, and authorities were called to multiple locations before they were finally led to Patterson.

According to VanHoozer, when the call came in, the operator said, "I think this is going to be him." The location of the call played a factor as VanHoozer said the location was "where the individual was supposed to be."

The real-time operator gave the information to a 911 dispatcher, who alerted authorities, VanHoozer said.

"Technology played a huge role, but technology doesn't do any good without people who are determined to capture an individual who would do something like this," VanHoozer said, "And today, we saw where those two things came together in an amazing way. Nobody went home today. Everybody stayed."

Case Background

While the shooter was at large, police said that no additional shots had been fired since the initial shooting. A shelter-in-place order that was in effect for Midtown was lifted hours before the suspect was captured as police no longer believed he was in the area.

Police released four surveillance images of the suspect who was seen wearing a mask, dark colored pants and a light colored hoodie.

Crime Stoppers offered a reward of up to $10,000 in the case.

CNN reported Patterson joined the U.S. Coast Guard in July 2018 and was discharged in January. He served as an Electrician's Mate Second Class, the outlet reported.

In a tweet posted around 12:45 p.m., Atlanta Police said they were working the situation inside of a West Peachtree Street building, between 12th and 13th Streets.

The area on West Peachtree Street between 12th and 13th Streets has several buildings, including the Northside medical facility. Northside Hospital said in a statement that it is cooperating with law enforcement after a shooting at its Midtown location.

"We urge people in the area to shelter in place and follow instructions from law enforcement on the scene," the hospital system said in a tweet.

"This tragedy is affecting all of us, and we ask for patience and prayers at this time."

Those in the area at the time of the shooting were warned secure their building while anyone else was asked to stay away.

Atlanta Public Schools issued a public safety alert, saying several of the schools in the district were operating on exterior lockdown for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution.

Elected Officials React

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has been communicating with state law enforcement and Dickens regarding the case, Kemp's Press Secretary Garrison Douglas told Patch.

Shortly after 9 p.m., Kemp's office issued the following statement:

"We are heartbroken by today’s tragedy in Midtown Atlanta and join all Georgians in praying for those impacted and their loved ones. We’re also thanking God for the brave local and state law enforcement who responded forcefully and without hesitation. Thanks to their efforts, the shooter is now in custody and will face justice," Kemp said in the statement.

"These heroes demonstrated yet again their professionalism, courage and unwavering dedication to protecting their fellow Georgians. With public safety partners like them on all levels, we remain vigilant against such acts of heartless violence in our communities."

Dickens said during an earlier day news conference the White House had offered support.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during an afternoon press briefing that officials are monitoring the developments in the case.

"I want to tell the public that we urge them to heed guidance from officials and to keep themselves safe," she said. "Please keep yourselves safe as this situation continues."

Jean-Pierre said officials are frustrated with recent gun violence in the U.S. and that more needs to be done on the issue.

"We know that Congress needs to take more steps to deal with the violence that we're seeing," she said. " ... Right now, we're seeing weapons of war on our streets, which should not be. We've been very clear about Congress needing to act, and I think we're all frustrated."

U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a Georgia Democrat, released a statement, urging the community to take precaution. The congressman called gun violence "a senseless, overwhelming epidemic" and advocated for gun safety reform.