Atlanta mass shooting – latest: Midtown attack victim named as suspect charged with murder after manhunt
Amy St Pierre was killed when suspected gunman Deion Patterson opened fire at Midtown Atlanta’s Northside Hospital
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
The woman killed in the mass shooting at an Atlanta medical centre has now been identified as a 38-year-old CDC worker.
Amy St. Pierre was killed on Wednesday when suspected gunman Deion Patterson opened fire at Midtown Atlanta’s Northside Hospital.
The shooting unfolded when Mr Patterson, who used to be in the US Coast Guard, was attending an appointment with his mother. He allegedly pulled out a handgun and opened fire in the waiting room, shooting five women.
St Pierre died while the four other victims – aged 25 to 71 – are fighting for their lives in hospital.
Mr Patterson, 24, fled the scene by carjacking a vehicle close to the hospital, police said.
A huge manhunt ensued before he was tracked down to Cobb County, just northwest of Atlanta, where he was arrested
A local resident told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the suspect was found hiding near a condo complex’s pool after dogs began barking at him.
Mr Patterson’s mother, Minyone Patterson, said her son had “some mental instability going on” from medication he received from the Veterans Affairs health system that he began taking on Friday.
Atlanta gunman found hiding near pool after barking dogs alerted neighbours, report says
Deion Patterson: Everything we know about the at-large Atlanta mass shooting suspect
Everything we know about the Atlanta mass shooting that left one dead, three others hospitalised
Deion Patterson was angry at ‘messed up’ meds before killing one and injuring three others, says mother
Three victims in critical condition and one person in surgery
Three shooting victims are in critical condition and one person is in surgery, according to Dr Robert Jansen at Grady Memorial Hospital.
The staff is prepared for mass casualty event to treat up to 12 people, if necessary.
The hospital is not in lockdown.
Atlanta police release suspect’s name and age
Atlanta police have reported that the suspect picture in surveillance footage is 24-year-old Deion Patterson.
Suspect was believed to be inside hospital for appointment, police spokesperson said
The man accused of killing at least one person and injuring at least four others at a midtown medical centre in Atlanta on Wednesday was there for an appointment, police spokesperson Chata Spikes told CNN.
The mother of the suspected shooter, who accompanied him to the medical centre, is cooperating with police and was uninjured in the shooting, CNN reported.
Six Atlanta public schools will remain on lockdown until shooter in custody
The following schools will remain in lockdown until the suspected gunman is in custody: Midtown High School, Washington High School, Stanton Elementary, King Middle, Wesley International Charter, and Dunbar Elementary.
“Parents, please stay home,” Atlanta Public Schools said in a statement: “At this time, schools on HOLD will not release students to leave until the lockdowns are lifted. Our buildings are secure and as long as students are inside, they are safe. All other clusters will have normal dismissal.”
Police release image of suspect
The Atlanta Police Department has released this image of 24-year-old Deion Patterson, who is believed to be the suspect who killed at least one person and injured four others at a medical centre in midtown Atlanta on Wednesday.
White House is aware of incident
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are aware of the “ongoing, very fluid situation” Atlanta shooting and at-large suspect, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday.
The president is “frustrated about what we’re seeing in our communities and in our schools and our churches” when it comes to gun violence, she added.
Police lift shelter in place order
Atlanta police have lifted a lockdown order at Northside Hospital but continue to urge people to stay away from the scene.
Police investigating nearby carjacking
Police are investigating a nearby carjacking incident reported at Williams and 13th streets blocks from the hospital.
Shooting suspect Deion Patterson is no longer believed to be near the hospital. Police are working to determine whether the incidents are related.
Suspect’s mother breaks silence on shooting
“The damn VA gave him some messed up medication. And all he wanted was an Ativan,” his mother, Minyone Patterson, told The Daily Beast before hanging up.
The suspect, who has a military background, had originally attended a medical appointment at the building and was accompanied by his mother, reported CNN.
During the appointment he became agitated, pulled out a handgun and started shooting, a police source told the news network.
Atlanta lawmaker calls more gun control in wake of shooting
Atlanta City Councilman Amir Farokhi called for tightened gun controls after the shooting in his district on Wednesday.
“I hope APD apprehends the shooter quickly,” Mr Farokhi told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “My heart hurts for those injured and the family of the deceased. Gun violence has become a daily occurrence in our country.
“We cannot let it become normalized. The time is past due for common sense gun reform. We all deserve to feel safe everywhere.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.