Atlanta police: Woman, killer dead after high-rise shootout

Police in Atlanta say a woman is dead and a suspected gunman has been killed inside a high-rise apartment after a shootout with officers

Atlanta Gunfire (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A man killed a woman and then died during a shootout with police at an apartment building in Atlanta s midtown neighborhood early Wednesday, police said.

Police got calls of a shooting in the building shortly before 3:30 a.m. and officers responded within five minutes, Atlanta police Chief Rodney Bryant said during a news conference. The man was shooting at the officers who returned fire, he said.

Officers found a woman dead inside the apartment where she lived. Police said it appears the man and woman knew each other, that there was no force entry and it appears the man was inside the woman's apartment. Police were trying to determine whether the man also lived in the building or whether he was visiting, Bryant said.

“We have one individual that is deceased inside the apartment, and the person that we believe is the assailant also has been killed,” Bryant said.

Deputy Chief Charles Hampton said several rounds were fired, entering multiple units. Police have been able to check the other units and haven’t found any other victims, he said.

Since Atlanta police engaged in a shootout with the man, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate, Bryant said. That is standard procedure when officers fire their guns during encounters with the public.

Bryant said police used a drone “to be able to assess the scene and to help us out through this process.” He did not elaborate on exactly how the drone was used.

A number of people called 911 and police are also aware that a number of people were recording video while the incident was unfolding, Bryant said. He encouraged anyone with additional information to get in touch with police.

Speaking during the news conference, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reminded residents to call 911 when they see something dangerous happening.

“We did start receiving phone calls, but social media received information and has received more information, quite frankly, than we have received through our 911 center," she said. “So for us to be able to appropriately respond and assess, we just ask if you can put down your camera, put down your phone and call 911 and then allow us to do what we do.”

Local media reported that residents were told to stay in their apartments in Atlantic House, a 32-story luxury high-rise with two rooftop pools that’s one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

Police had closed streets around at least four square blocks of office and apartment buildings in response to the gunfire. The heavy emergency response included an armored vehicle, an ambulance and multiple squad cars with officers carrying long guns.

Police closed off West Peachtree and Spring streets between 10th and 14th streets, causing headaches for morning commuters.