Suspect in Atlanta Hospital Shooting Remains at Large, Name Released

UPDATE

After an eight-hour city-wide manhunt, the shooter, Deion Duwane Patterson, has been caught. He was arrested late Wednesday evening according to Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer.  A US Coast Guard veteran, Patterson, 24, now faces one count of murder and four counts of aggravated assault according to Fulton County jail records.  It is unclear if he has retained counsel.

“What his intent was, I can’t say. Was he lying in wait? Would he have done something out of desperation to get away? Who knows,” said VanHoozer.  

Minyone Patterson, the mother of Deion is apologizing to those that were hurt by her son but also is asking for those with mental illness to receive the help that is needed. At this time it is unclear the nature of the mental illness discussed by his mother.

Details Released

According to Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr., Patterson had an appointment at a Northside Medical building and opened fire shortly after arriving. He then traveled to a Shell gas station and stole a pickup truck that had been left running. 

Why he did what he did, all of that is still under investigation," said Hampton. 

Patterson was arrested because of the fast thinking of a 911 operator that worked for the Cobb Count's Real Time Crime Center. The operator took a call that identified the gunman and a potential location. The dispatcher shared the information with officials and the Cobb County Sheriff's Violent Crime Bureau was able to apprehend Patterson at the Waterford Place condo complex near Truist Park.

"He will be charged and stand trial for his crimes," Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said at a press conference after Patterson was taken into custody. "I hope the city, the region, rests easy that he is in custody, but I also hope that we will stay vigilant to continue to look at a future where individuals who shouldn’t have a gun in possession won’t have one, and also that individuals are brought to justice, and also that we deal with these things that are mental health or easy access to guns," Dickens said.

Victims Identified

Amy St. Pierre, 38, an employee of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and a mother of 2, was murdered by Patterson despite medical efforts.  “Our hearts are with her family, friends, and colleagues as they remember her and grieve this tragic loss,” CDC spokesperson Benjamin Haynes said.  

“An Emory honors graduate and Georgia State MBA, Amy traveled the world with curiosity and courage. She was driven by compassion, both in her work in the field of maternal mortality, and in her everyday life,” her family said. “Amy was selfless always, she wanted more for others but never for herself. Generous supporter of worthy causes, she was the social conscience of our family.”  

The four women, Lisa Glynn, Georgette Whitlow, Jazzmin Daniel, and Alesha Hollinger, that were injured remain in critical condition. They range in age from 25 to 71. 

Original Post

On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, an active shooting took place at Northside Hospital in Midtown, Atlanta. One person has reportedly been killed and several others were injured. 

Information on Deion Patterson, Suspect

The Atlanta Police Department released the name of the suspect on Twitter and their website as Deion Patterson. The APD tweets say the suspect has not been arrested and remains at large. Police urge anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to call 911 immediately and to not approach the suspect as they are believed to be armed and dangerous. 

According to the APD website Crime Stoppers increased their reward to up to $10,000 in this case.

Information can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.StopCrimeAtl.org . 

The shooting allegedly occurred after the suspect was visiting his mother in the hospital.  

Police have released images of the suspected shooter wearing a hoodie. The incident caused nearby buildings, including the Atlantic House apartments, to be placed on lockdown. Residents were told to remain in their homes and not leave until cleared by police. According to an update on the APD website, the lockdown has now been lifted. 

Northside Hospital News

The hospital posted the following update on Facebook about the situation:

 

This is a developing story, Nurse.org will continue to update as more information is released.