What happened at the Midtown Four Seasons Hotel?

ATLANTA – Atlanta police and SWAT arrested a barricaded suspect at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown, where multiple shots were fired Tuesday afternoon.

Officers identified the suspect as 70-year-old J. Stevens Berger, who they said was in the living area of ​​the Four Seasons and not in the short-term apartments at the hotel.

They said he fired at least three different types of weapons and may have been armed with other weapons, including knives. A security perimeter was quickly established, closing surrounding streets at the following intersections:

• 14th Street NE to W Peachtree Street NE
• 14th Street NE at Crescent Avenue NE
• 13th Street NE to W Peachtree Street NE
• 13th Street NE at Crescent Avenue NE
• 13th Street NE at Peachtree Walk NE

FOX 5 Atlanta spoke with witnesses who said the incident felt like something out of the video game “Grand Theft Auto.”

“We heard ten shots. We went outside and filmed everything – the man throwing sofas, shooting – very chaotic, very random. This is Atlanta. This is not a real place,” said Khalil Hagans.

Another witness said police stopped them from moving anywhere because of the active shooter.

“So we looked up and tried to look for him and then we saw him. We stared at him for about five seconds, and next thing – boom, boom, boom – he started shooting again. So, it was like we ducked down here and just watched him,” Jordan Hall said. “It was like we were in the middle of a movie.”

Leah, an employee in Midtown, said she was stuck in her office until the man was arrested.

Four Seasons Hotel SWAT timeline

2:30 p.m.: SKYFOX 5 flew over the scene as some of the hotel's guests could be seen peering over their balconies and watching patrol cars stream across the street.

3:30 p.m.: Atlanta police asked all members of the media to clear the scene south of 14th Street NE.

3:52 p.m.: Atlanta police set up a shelter in place and asked citizens to stay away from the area.

“Citizens within sight of the Four Seasons Hotel are advised to avoid windows and rooms overlooking the area,” a department spokesperson posted on X.

4:00 p.m.: FOX 5 Atlanta obtained photos that appeared to show the suspect with his hands raised before throwing furniture out a window at the hotel.

4:35 p.m.: According to Atlanta Police, the existing safe house was eliminated and the suspect was reportedly arrested.

Citizens are still asked to avoid the area.

5:15 p.m.: Atlanta police held a joint press conference with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to provide more information about the incident.

Atlanta police believe at least three weapons were fired from the suspect's 33rd floor balcony. An Atlanta police officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

At least two other officers returned fire.

The suspect was identified as 70-year-old J. Stevens Berger. He was arrested and taken into custody after surrendering and throwing a gun from the balcony.

Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed that Berger was suffering from a mental health crisis and had an altercation with a hotel employee. Berger reportedly did not want to talk to police and may have had access to additional weapons, including knives.

Police believe at least 15 shots were fired during the incident.

Berger is expected to face multiple charges, including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.