Atlanta
It was a tense Friday evening in southwest Atlanta when a shooting incident took place near a Fulton County District Attorney’s Office annex, just off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Around 5 p.m., sirens blared and officers dashed to Gordon Plaza, at the corner of Peyton Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, responding to a distressing scene.
Scene at Gordon Plaza
The parking lot of the plaza was swiftly cordoned off with police tape as investigators began their meticulous work. A car with a shattered window stood motionless, with bullets scattered on the pavement. Officers were seen going in and out of the T&K Package Store, collecting clues and presumably looking for surveillance footage. Onlookers and residents watched from a distance, concerned and bewildered by the sudden burst of violence in their neighborhood.
Gunman on the Loose
Police described the gunman as a man wearing a ski mask and armed with a rifle. The masked assailant opened fire in the plaza’s parking lot, hitting two men in the chest. Originally, there was some confusion with initial reports stating three people were shot, but this was later corrected. Only two men were injured and were immediately taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. One of them was reported to be in critical condition.
Investigation Underway
According to Atlanta Police Lt. Andrew Smith, one of the men appears to have been targeted, while the other may have been an unintended victim, having just come from behind the building when the shots rang out. “There was an individual back there who was one of the victims who was shot. It appears he was not the intended victim,” Lt. Smith shared during the on-site briefing.
The family of Coviseea Dowell, who is in critical condition, believes he was the intended target. “He just got robbed last week and now he’s shot today, we’re just trying to make sure he’s alive,” said Stephanie Dowell, struggling to hold back tears and fears for her loved one’s life.
Looking for Answers
Police have mentioned that they’ll be reviewing surveillance footage to get a proper description of the masked gunman. Once obtained, they promise to release more information to the public to help apprehend the suspect. The investigation is active and ongoing, with officers working tirelessly to bring the perpetrator to justice.
This latest incident has further highlighted the need for heightened security measures and community vigilance in Atlanta. The community remains on edge, hoping for swift resolution and recovery for the victims.
