One person was killed and five others injured in a shooting Saturday night near Atlantic Station, according to Atlanta police.
The shooting happened after a group of people were escorted off the property by Atlantic Station security and off-duty Atlanta officers, police said late Saturday. The group then went to the 17th Street bridge, where several shots were fired shortly after 8 p.m.
“At this time, we have one male on scene deceased and several others were transported to area hospitals,” Lt. Germaine Dearlove, Atlanta police homicide commander, said at a press conference late Saturday.
Investigators believe those involved were between the ages of 15 and 21, Dearlove said. The investigation was in the preliminary stages late Saturday. But Dearlove said shots may have been fired from two separate groups.
No suspects had been identified, Dearlove said.
Credit: Georgia DOT
Credit: Georgia DOT
Investigators believe the group may have been escorted off the Atlantic Station property for unruly behavior and violating the area’s curfew, Dearlove said. In January, a 3 p.m. curfew was put in place for Atlantic Station, requiring all minors to be accompanied by an adult if in the area later.
“APD and EMS immediately responded to an altercation within a group that led to shots being fired with possible injuries,” a spokeswoman for Atlantic Station said in an emailed statement Saturday night.
On Sunday, the neighborhood and retail district said it is “helping law enforcement in every way possible” but distanced itself from the incident, as it did not occur on its property. However, it is still increasing security measures, including doubling the number of law enforcement officers for the foreseeable future in order to discourage group gatherings and enforcing the area’s curfew.
The deadly incident two days after Thanksgiving was the latest in a string of shootings in the upscale retail and residential area. Saturday night’s shooting happened during a busy weekend of holiday shopping. Atlantic Station is also currently the site of a Cirque Du Soleil show and ice skating rink.
On Oct. 18, a 30-year-old woman, who asked not to be named fearing for her safety, was shot three times while inside her SUV, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. The woman believes people in two other cars were shooting at each other shortly before midnight and she was caught in the crossfire. Investigators found several shell casings at the scene, at the intersection of 17th and State streets.
“I was just in the middle,” the woman said. “I’m just lucky I was only hit three times.”
Ten days before the 30-year-old woman was shot in her SUV at Atlantic Station, another woman was shot in the same area, according to police.
On Oct. 8, that woman told investigators she had just left the Bowlero bowling alley when she heard gunshots, an incident report states. She ran inside the Hobnob Tavern on 18th Street, she told officers. Inside the restaurant, she realized she had been shot in the foot.
After the two October incidents, Atlantic Station officials said they were working with police to improve security on the premises, including prioritizing 911 calls, doubling the number of officers on site and scheduling regular meetings with department leaders.
On Nov. 28, 2020, the Saturday after Thanksgiving that year, a massive brawl involving scores of teenagers at Atlantic Station ended with one beaten and punched until he lost consciousness, police said at the time. When he fell to the ground, another teen repeatedly stomped on his head, police said.
A 15-year-old who police identified as the primary aggressor was detained and charged with aggravated assault. He was not named due to his age, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
About the Author
