2 people shot at NE Atlanta warming center; suspected gunman injured in fall
2 shot outside Atlanta warming center
An off-duty officer opened fire on a suspected gunman who is accused of shooting two men outside a warming center in Atlanta.
ATLANTA - A shooting at a recreation center being used as a warming center in the 400 block of Merritt Avenue is under investigation.
What we know:
The address given by Atlanta police corresponds to the Central Park Recreation Center, which is currently being used as a city warming center. The recreation center is located near Central Park Place NE and North Avenue NE in northeast Atlanta.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 37-year-old Antonio Wooten was fired at by an Atlanta police officer working an off-duty security job at the location, but was not struck.
He was treated at Grady Memorial Hospital for a broken arm when he fell to the ground.
The GBI said the officer saw an argument escalating with Wooten pulling out a handgun and shooting at others involved in the dispute. That is when investigators say the officer opened fire.
Wooten struck one of the men with whom he was arguing and a bystander. Both men were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
The officer was not injured during the incident.
What they're saying:
A man who was staying at the recreation center told assembled reporters that he was inside the center and heard shots fired. When he turned towards the noise, he reportedly saw a man shooting at someone on the floor.
2 people shot at warming center
Two people were reportedly shot on Thursday morning at a warming center in NE Atlanta. The suspected shooter was also injured.
What's next:
The GBI will lead the investigation into the officer-involved shooting and the use of force. Once the GBI finishes its probe, the case will be turned over to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for a formal review.
The Atlanta Police Department will handle the investigation into the initial shots being fired.