June 11 (UPI) — An armed felon allegedly shot and injured three people at a mall food court in downtown Atlanta Tuesday afternoon before an off-duty Atlanta police officer shot the suspect.
A fight between the suspect and another person precipitated the shooting at about 2:15 p.m. at the Hub food court at the Peachtree Center, located at 235 Peachtree St. in downtown Atlanta, Atlanta Police said.
The unidentified suspect is a 34-year-old felon who allegedly shot a 70-year-old woman from Atlanta, a 69-year-old woman from East Point and a 47-year-old man from Grayson, local media reported.
“I’m just thankful for the very quick response by the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department, who were able to get there and help the wounded individuals,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said during a press briefing outside the crime scene.
“A 34-year-old suspect armed with a handgun had entered the food court and, after a brief altercation with an individual, he shot that individual,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.
“That perpetrator continued to shoot two others that were in the food court” before the unidentified off-duty police officer shot the suspect and ended the shooting, Schierbaum said.
Video surveillance footage helped police learn the circumstances behind the shooting.
The suspect is a felon who has a criminal record that includes 11 arrests and was imprisoned for armed robbery.
“This is an individual that should never have been possessing a gun,” Schierbaum said. “An individual that should never have placed this community in harm.”
First-responders took two victims to Grady Memorial Hospital and are in critical condition.
Two others are undergoing treatment at Emory Midtown Hospital.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and local police are investigating and told local residents to stay away from the area Tuesday afternoon.
A witness told local media she was working near the Peachtree Center when police ordered her employer and others in the area to lock down.
The police lifted the lock-down order after about an hour.
The Peachtree Center is located near Centennial Olympic Park, AmericasMart and the World of Coca-Cola.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for details.