On Wednesday afternoon, Atlanta police responded to an active shooter situation at Northside Hospital Midtown Medical located on W Peachtree Street NW in Midtown.
It is believed that Deion Patterson, 24, opened fire on the 11th floor of the hospital and then fled the scene. Reports suggest that a carjacking occurred shortly after the shooting, however, the vehicle has not yet been located.
Patterson is still at large and is considered to be armed and dangerous, and the police have urged people not to approach him. A reward of $10,000 has been offered to anyone who can provide information leading to his arrest and indictment.
Those who were inside the building at the time of the shooting described a frightening scene. Dr. Ahmed Ali, a radiation oncologist, recalled that he was told gunshots had been heard coming from the 11th floor and that there was a pool of blood in the elevator shafts when the doors opened. Dr. Timothy Simons, who was performing surgery on the 12th floor, reported that he was instructed to put his hands up when the police arrived to investigate. Simons was able to complete the procedure before sheltering in place.
Four women were wounded in the shooting ranging in age from 25 to 71. Three of them are in critical condition, while one is in stable condition. Unfortunately, a fifth victim, a 39-year-old female, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police imposed a shelter-in-place order in the area shortly after receiving word of the shooting, and it was lifted approximately three hours later after no more shots were fired. Northside Hospital expressed its condolences and encouraged patience and prayers during this difficult time. Visitors are now permitted to enter Grady Memorial Hospital.