1 killed, at least 4 hurt in Atlanta medical building shooting; suspect captured, police say

ATLANTA (Atlanta News First/Gray News) - An hourslong search for the suspect in a deadly shooting at a medical building in Midtown Atlanta ended Wednesday evening.

The suspect, 24-year-old Deion Patterson, has been arrested and is in custody, officials confirmed.

The U.S. Marshals office and Cobb County Police said Patterson was in custody as of 8 p.m.

“Law enforcement has taken the suspect into custody. He will be charged and stand trial for his crimes. Our law enforcement kept us safe during an enormously tense afternoon and evening,” Mayor Andre Dickens said at a news conference. “I want to thank our citizens for keeping calm, staying in place, and providing us with important information throughout the day.”

One person died and four others were injured in the shooting, which happened just after noon.

Police have identified the victim who died as 38-year-old Amy St. Pierre. She died at the scene.

Four others, all identified as women, were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment where they are in critical but stable condition. Two of the victims were undergoing surgery, according to Grady Hospital’s Robert Janson.

Police shared a photo of the suspected shooter Wednesday afternoon and identified him as Patterson.

They lifted a shelter-in-place advisory but asked people to stay away from the area due to the active investigation.

The shooting happened at 1100 West Peachtree Street in a building that houses several medical offices and is operated by Northside Hospital. Midtown is a very populated area with many office buildings and high-rise apartments.

“He spent about two minutes inside the building where he exited on foot,” Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said. “We were able to pick up on the camera network systems was he went to a Shell Gas Station where he commandeered a vehicle.”

Officials added that Patterson allegedly stole a pickup truck that was left running unattended. Officials then traced the license plate of the stolen truck using their license system.

“Around 12:30 p.m., we received an alert that he was in Cobb County,” Hampton. said. He added that Atlanta police officials notified the Cobb County Police Department to work together to capture Patterson.

Police recovered the vehicle in Cobb County near Truist Park.

Before Patterson’s arrest, his mother, registered nurse Minyone Patterson, said that she was with police and cooperating with them. She said if there was anything she could do to help apprehend him safely, she would.

Speaking to Atlanta News First, the suspect’s mother apologized to the city of Atlanta and the victims’ families.

“First and foremost, I want to give my sincere, sincere apology to the families that were injured and killed. My son was always a protector. No one that would hurt anybody... He doesn’t know right now. Please. This mental illness is real, and when we say it’s real, from the medical standpoint, it is real. And when someone is saying they need help, or you see that they are acting out of sorts, they need help. Help them, just don’t disregard them,” she said.

Atlanta Public Schools said they were operating on an “exterior lockdown” for the remainder of the day.

The Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority said their services continued to operate on normal schedules Wednesday. They added that there were extra officers at stations to “ensure the safety of our patrons.”

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon, in which it said: “The Coast Guard is aware of the tragic incident in Atlanta allegedly involving Mr. Deion Patterson. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families.

“The Coast Guard Investigative Service is working closely with the Atlanta Police Department and local authorities in the investigation. Mr. Patterson entered the Coast Guard in July 2018 and last served as an Electrician’s Mate Second Class. He was discharged from active duty in January 2023.”

Hampton declined to discuss any details of the investigation or possible motive, saying, “Why he did what he did, all of that is still under investigation.”

Copyright 2023 WANF via Gray Media Group, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to the report. All rights reserved.