A man believed to be suffering a “mental health incident” was taken into custody Tuesday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown after firing multiple shots inside the building and from a balcony on the 33rd floor.
The suspect was identified as Jay Steven Berger, 70. He remains hospitalized at Grady Hospital after being shot by an Atlanta Police Department SWAT sniper. The GBI said it was investigating the officer-involved shooting as part of standard procedure.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said during a press conference that police were initially called to the luxury hotel and condo building on 14th Street around 10 a.m. after reports of a dispute between a resident in the condos and building staff. Schierbaum described the situation as a “mental health incident.”
Once police arrived, Berger had barricaded himself inside the unit. Schierbaum said while officers were trying to negotiate a peaceful end to the standoff, Berger began firing a weapon through the doors and walls of the unit. Since Berger was also wearing a mask, officers were concerned he might have some type of chemical agent in the unit.
Officers evacuated floors above and below the 33rd floor. Berger continued to fire a handgun, shotgun and rifle before moving onto the balcony where he began throwing items over the railing, including chairs and pillows. He also began randomly firing a weapon while on the balcony forcing street closures and a shelter-in-place order to be issued for the area.
Just after 4 p.m., Berger surrendered, threw a handgun off the balcony, and asked officers to come and get him. SWAT entered the unit and took Berger into custody.
Schierbaum said Berger was injured and transported to Grady Hospital. One Atlanta police officer also received non-life-threatening injuries. That officer, Jonathan Caporaso, has been released from the hospital, according to APD.
Schierbaum said he was on his way to Grady to ascertain Berger and the officer’s injuries.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Original Story
Atlanta Police said a suspect is in custody after multiple shots were fired at the Four Seasons Hotel on 14th Street in Midtown. A shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area has also been lifted.
Video circulating on social media and replayed by various media outlets showed a white male throwing items off a balcony at the luxury hotel and condos. The man was then seen pulling a handgun from his waistband and firing at buildings and the street.
Police urged the public to continue to avoid the area as streets remain closed while the investigation continues.
Tenants at 1180 Peachtree Street received a warning that no one is to enter or depart from the building or parking garage. “This incident has escalated to a level where in an overabundance of caution, we have placed the building in lockdown as gunshots have been heard. It is unknown if these shots are coming from inside or outside the hotel,” the email stated.
Woodward Academy sent an email to parents shortly after 3 p.m. about rerouting buses:
“We have received reports of an armed person at the Four Seasons hotel in downtown Atlanta and are closely monitoring the situation. Out of an abundance of caution, we will route our buses around the impacted area this afternoon. Your child’s bus stop will not be affected. MARTA riders also should plan for increased traffic around stations. We will provide further updates as needed via email and text. As always, your child’s safety is our number one priority.”
Apartment and condo buildings in the vicinity, as well as Georgia Tech, issued warnings to residents and students about the unfolding incident.
Logan C. Ritchie contributed to this report.
