Ophthalmologist Identified as Atlanta Shooting Suspect

The suspected shooter in an hours-long standoff in Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon has been identified as retired ophthalmologist Jay Berger, MD.

The 70-year-old was taken into police custody on Tuesday and has been accused of firing multiple rounds from his high-rise condominium at the Four Seasons in Midtown Atlanta, according to local news outlet 11Alive.

People who spoke with the news outlet said they were shocked by Berger’s behavior. One of his friends described him as “a kind man who always treats people with respect,” and he reportedly was a mentor to young medical students.

Berger holds an active medical license in Georgia, which is set to expire in March of 2025, according to the state medical board’s records. He’s board certified in ophthalmology and he trained at Brown University in the early 1980s, according to board documents.

In a physician-written section of the licensing site, Berger wrote that his practice, which is listed as being on Fourteenth Street in Atlanta, “includes state of the art cataract and refractive surgery as well as general eye exams for glasses and contact lenses. Laser surgery is available for glaucoma and diabetes as well as refractive surgery procedures for farsightedness, nearsightedness.”

The standoff occurred over several hours on Tuesday and ended with Berger’s arrest that day. It reportedly escalated from a dispute into multiple rounds of gunfire, according to 11Alive.

Around 10 a.m. Tuesday, police received a call for a mental health emergency after Berger reportedly became aggressive with a hotel staff member. Berger also allegedly pointed a gun at a manager.

When police arrived, Berger allegedly refused to open the door and appeared agitated. They determined that he had multiple firearms in his unit, including a handgun, shotgun, and rifle.

By 11 a.m., Berger allegedly began firing shots from within his apartment, and witnesses reported hearing gunfire through the hallways and doors.

An hour later, Berger was seen on his balcony wearing a gas mask and waving American flags, 11Alive reported. He also allegedly threw furniture and other items off his balcony, raising concerns about pedestrians below.

At around 4:15 p.m. — more than 6 hours since the initial call was made — Berger reportedly stepped out onto his balcony and appeared to gesture as if he were surrendering, according to 11Alive. Not long after, however, Berger became erratic again, and a SWAT sniper fired, striking Berger.

After that, SWAT officers pushed into his unit and arrested Berger without further incident.

One SWAT officer who was hit by gunfire was taken to the hospital, but was released and is recovering, according to reports. Berger, however, remains hospitalized in police custody.