MARTA police continue search for Midtown Atlanta train shooter

ATLANTA - Investigators have released new details about what police are calling a targeted attack at the Midtown Atlanta MARTA station on Friday during rush hour. 

What we know:

A gunman opened fire at the Midtown Atlanta MARTA station around 7p.m. Friday, hitting a man in his left arm and leg, according to MARTA officials. Investigators discovered both the victim and the shooter paid their fares to enter the station before heading toward separate railcars.

The two individuals made eye contact across the station, prompting the suspect to walk over to the victim's railcar and fire gunshots from the southbound platform, according to a statement released by MARTA police Saturday. The shoot then fled the scene. 

MARTA police are currently working alongside the Atlanta Police Department and Georgia Tech police to track down the shooter.

The victim is expected to survive their injuries. 

PAST STORY: Man hospitalized in 'targeted' shooting at Midtown MARTA station in Atlanta

Local perspective:

Following the platform gunfire and a string of recent violent crimes on MARTA trains, transit leaders are heavily increasing their visible security footprint. MARTA officers are now working 12-hour shifts, six days a week, to maximize coverage across the system.

The MARTA Police Department said it is also pulling additional uniformed officers from desk duty. These officers are being actively deployed onto trains and station platforms to protect commuting passengers.

It comes after the recent attacks on MARTA trains have prompted the federal government to launch an investigation into Atlanta's public transportation network. 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy directed the Federal Transit Administration to probe security spending and passenger safety protocols of the metro Atlanta transit. 

RELATED: Atlanta MARTA probe: Feds demand transit crime data after stabbings

Dig deeper:

Shaunna Fretwell, a lifelong Atlanta resident and commuter, noted the visible shift in security on Saturday.

"I noticed even today more of a police presence on the train, which I think is nice, especially when you've had incidents on MARTA recently, so I think that alone and more of that can help people feel like there's someone on site if there is an incident."

Fretwell added that the recent violence has weighed heavily on her.

"It made me sad because I love Atlanta, I've lived here my whole life, there's so much to enjoy about the city, so much diversity, and obviously my heart breaks for the victims."

Brittney Weems, a regular commuter, expressed how the random nature of the shooting impacts riders.

"It made no sense, but that puts pressure on people who do ride the bus because that can happen to anybody, any one of us," she said. Weems questioned the transit system's security.  "It isn't that secure if you can do something quick and senseless like that, it's not secure."

Another commuter, Kayla Jones, stated that she no longer feels safe on the transit lines, "There's a lot going on, and I don't feel safe at all."

Jones argued that law enforcement should become a permanent fixture on the transit network, "They should be on their 24/7, we don't know what might happen."

What they're saying:

Witnesses on board the train recounted a terrifying, fast-moving situation that began without warning among the individuals involved. "All of a sudden, we hear pop pop pop, and we all hit the ground. Nothing happens for five minutes. We are sitting there like," What's going on? What's going on?"" witness Chelsea Mensah said.

Passenger Devonte Render described his immediate survival instincts during the gunfire, stating, "I hid between the train car in case the shooter came back." Despite transit officials labeling the shooting as targeted, another witness stated that the violence appeared completely unprovoked, saying, "It was over something pointless. They weren't arguing; they don't know each other. He just turned around and pop pop pop shot this guy."

What we don't know:

MARTA police have not yet confirmed whether the victim and the suspect were locked in an argument prior to the shooting. Transit authorities have also not released a formal description of the suspect shooter, and the exact motive behind the violence remains unclear. 

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