03 May 2023 , 20:35
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A gunman who opened fire at an Atlanta hospital shooting five people, with one fatality, today has been identified and is thought to have a background in the military.
Police are searching for Deion Patterson, 24, who opened fire at Northside Hospital Medical Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, leaving four people wounded and one dead today, Wednesday, May 3. Three people are said to be in critical condition following the shooting, according to Atlanta Police. All the victims are women.
Patterson was reportedly a former Coat Guardsman, the agency said in a statement. The Coast Guard said 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."
The public has been warned not to approach Patterson if they see him and have described him as "armed and dangerous", with people being urged to call 911 if they suspect to have seen him.
The public are being urged to call 911 if they spot Deion Patterson (Atlanta Police Department)Patterson was reportedly at the hospital with his mother for an appointment, according to Atlanta Police spokesperson Chata Spikes. He is said to have become agitated before pulling out a handgun and starting to shoot, according to a high-level source within the police department who spoke to CNN. The source also told the outlet that Patterson comes from a military background.
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Atlanta Police Department Chief Darin Schierbaum said that police believe Patterson carjacked a vehicle a "short distance" from the scene, and that he was able to flee the scene as police "were descending on this area".
It comes after police lifted a shelter-in-place advisory, though residents are being advised to remain out of the area while investigations continue.
"We believe he has left the area," Schierbaum said, adding that the suspect "may not still be in that vehicle."
Atlanta Police have released photos of the suspect in a bid to trace him, including what looks like a prior mugshot photo.
Schierbaum told a press conference that Patterson had 'minimal contact' with Atlanta Police Department prior to today.
Mayor Andre Dickens spoke at the scene, thanking law enforcement agencies for their work. He went on to say: "As you know one is deceased and four are fighting for their lives at Grady Hospital and we're praying that they pull through."
Mayor Dickens confirmed that all victims were women. He went on to reiterate that police are hunting for someone that is "armed and dangerous", saying: "This is a deadly situation."
Speaking at a press conference, Chief Schierbaum said: "This is a very active search. We are currently following up on credible leads that are active in Cobb County, as well as some that are right here in the city."
Emergency services are at the active shooting (AP)He continued: "This shooting did occur inside the waiting room of that medical facility where five individuals were shot. Unfortunately, a 39-year-old female has lost her life and of those that are injured are a 71-year-old female, a 56-year-old female, a 39-year-old female and then a 25-year-old female.
"We do know that Mr Patterson, our suspect, left the building - we believe he carjacked a vehicle a short distance away and he was able to flee the scene as the law enforcement agencies were descending on this area.
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"We believe he has left the area, he may not still be in that vehicle so I don't want everyone to be focused on that vehicle."
Chief Schierbaum warned Patterson still presents "a danger to whatever community he may find himself in at this time", as police departments from across the area search for the shooter.
Regarding the victims, the police chief said: "We're not at this time able to say whether they're patients or they're employees or both". He went on to explain that they were too early in their investigation to say whether the victims were targeted, when asked if they had been due to the fact they all happened to be women.