Atlanta police issue plea for calm after dispute leads to quadruple shooting
Police investigate the scene of a shooting that sent four people to the hospital in the 600 block of Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. in the Bankhead neighborhood of Atlanta on July 22, 2026. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
ATLANTA - Four men were injured Wednesday afternoon after an escalating dispute led to an exchange of gunfire at an Atlanta business on Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. NW.
Emergency crews and private vehicles rushed all four victims to area hospitals, where officials listed them in stable condition.
What we know:
Oficers went to a business at 644 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. NW just before 4 p.m. Wednesday after receiving reports that multiple people were shot.
When officers arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds and paramedics took them to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
Police learned two other men who were shot drove to Emory University Hospital Midtown in their own vehicles.
One of those men was later moved by ambulance to Grady for surgery after being shot in the abdomen.
All four victims, aged 30, 47, 58 and 60, are listed in stable condition.
Investigators said a gunman walked into the business and an ongoing argument between known parties erupted into gunfire both inside and outside the building.
What we don't know:
Investigators have not yet identified the gunman responsible for the shooting or released detailed suspect information.
Authorities are working to download video evidence from the scene to determine how many people actually fired weapons during the dispute.
Police have not stated what specific argument caused the violence, though officials noted the dispute began earlier in the day. Investigators are also still working to identify and locate vehicles connected to the incident.
What they're saying:
Atlanta Police Homicide Unit Commander Lt. Christopher Butler stressed that the shooting was an isolated event between people who knew each other.
"Just let calmer heads prevail and, you know, to bring a gunfight to a fight is of course ridiculous," Lt. Butler said. "It should never escalate to this."
Lt. Butler urged community members to handle disagreements verbally rather than escalating conflicts into violence. He added that investigators already have solid leads to work with as the investigation continues.
The Source: The information from this story was gathered from the Atlanta Police Department. This article has been updated since it was originally published.