A SWAT standoff and shooting at a luxury Atlanta hotel ends as the suspect is apprehended
The Atlanta Police Department and SWAT teams responded to a luxury Georgia hotel in downtown Atlanta Tuesday afternoon, after an armed suspect barricaded himself inside and allegedly opened fire.
During a press conference at approximately 5:15 p.m., Atlanta Police Department Chief Darin Schierbaum and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens provided more information about the incident.
Schierbaum identified J. Stevens Berger, who is 70 years old as the suspect, said he had a mental problem and had an argument with a hotel employee around 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Berger was staying at the hotel and was seen during the incident on his balcony wearing a red mask.
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The suspect is seen on the balcony of the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta. (WAGA)
Berger had access to several weapons, including knives and guns, police said, adding that they believe he fired at least 15 shots.
“While the efforts were still going on, he started firing the weapon,” said Schierbaum. “We believe he fired at least three different weapons, rifles, shotguns and handguns, which exploded through the walls.”
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One witness told Fox News affiliate WAGA that the incident sounded like something out of the video game “Grand Theft Auto.”
“We heard 10 shots. We went outside, we got everything on camera – a man throwing sofas, shooting – chaos, random,” said Khalil Hagans. “This is Atlanta. This is not a real place.”
Another witness told the news station that the police prevented them from going anywhere because of the shooting.
“So, we looked up, and we were trying to look at him, and we saw him. We look at him for five seconds and the next thing you know 'boom, boom, boom,' he starts shooting again. So, it was like, we got in the back here, and we're just looking at him,” said Jordan Hall. “It was like we were in the middle of a movie.”
Police responded to a suspect who was barricaded at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta. (WAGA)
One Atlanta police officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said, ordering a shelter-in-place order after the shooting began. At least two other officers returned fire, police said.
Police say Berger is expected to face multiple charges, including assault and reckless endangerment.
“We saw courage, we saw an effort to save life,” Schierbaum said.
A large number of police officers are seen outside the hotel. (WAGA)
The update from police came after the Atlanta Police Department confirmed they are investigating a suspect who was barricaded at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown where there were reports of gunfire.
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In a statement issued at about 4:30 p.m., the police said the suspect was arrested and detained, which led to the issuance of an asylum warrant.
