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Four people shot in downtown Atlanta food court after argument; A 34-year-old criminal in police custody

At least four people were shot at a downtown Atlanta food court following an argument, police say.

One of the people shot was the suspect, according to Atlanta police. The other three victims were alert, conscious and breathing.

The terrifying scene unfolded around 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Peachtree Center in downtown Atlanta. Police rushed to the scene after learning that people had been shot. Numerous police officers were present on site an hour after the shooting.

Authorities have not released the names of those injured in the shooting. They were identified as a 47-year-old man, a 69-year-old woman and a 70-year-old woman.

The suspect has only been identified as a 34-year-old convicted felon. Police said the person got into an argument with another person. He shot the person he was arguing with and continued shooting.

A police officer then opened fire and injured the suspect.

Four people were shot at an Atlana food court Tuesday afternoon.
Four people were shot at an Atlana food court Tuesday afternoon. (P.A.)

A witness told local news stations about the shooting.

“I hear a gunshot, then I think someone dropped something, then I hear another gunshot, then another gunshot, and another gunshot,” said witness Kemba Walker Jr. to WSB-TV. “And then I see people scattering, running everywhere.”

Walker said he took his girlfriend into a back room of the building’s passport office and found someone lying on the floor. He said the shooting lasted about 25 to 30 minutes and that he heard about 25 shots.

The Peachtree Center remained closed hours after the shooting and people were asked to avoid the area. Atlanta police and firefighters were on scene and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to assist.

The center houses six office towers and a shopping center.