A police officer and a suspected shooter were injured Tuesday after gunfire erupted at a Midtown Atlanta building occupied by a Four Seasons hotel and residences, authorities said.
Officers responded to the high-rise after 10 a.m. following a dispute between a Four Seasons worker and a man on the 33rd floor, which is occupied by residences, said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. The man fired at least once from the balcony of a residence, also firing through walls and doors, though no other injuries were reported.
The officer was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, Jay Steven Berger, 70, who used as many as three guns including a handgun and at least one long gun, was also hospitalized, though the extent of his injuries was not specified.
At least two officers returned fire during the incident. The 33rd floor was evacuated as police negotiated with the man, who ultimately refused to come out. Police then breached the door of the unit to rush him and take him into custody.
“We saw bravery,” Schierbaum said. “We saw an effort made to preserve life.”
Mayor Andre Dickens said the gunman was wearing what appeared to be a gas mask, though it was unclear why. He said more than 15 shots were fired during the incident.
Because police used force, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will investigate officers’ response, Schierbaum said.
At 4:35 p.m., police said a shelter-in-place order for those in and near the high-rise on 14th Street Northeast has been lifted and that a suspect was in custody. The police department asked people to continue to avoid the area as it investigated.
The Four Seasons hotel takes up 19 of 53 stories of the high-rise and occupies 244 rooms, 23 of which are designated suites. The building also includes 96 residences and 97,000 square feet of office space.
