Peachtree Center shooting: 4 shot in Downtown Atlanta, suspect identified

ATLANTA - Four people were shot Tuesday afternoon, including the initial gunman, in the food court at Peachtree Center on Peachtree Street NE in downtown Atlanta.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 34-year-old Jeremy Malone entered the food court with a gun and got into an argument with another male. The suspected shooter, who is a convicted felon, shot that man and then shot two other people.

The Hub at Peachtree Center active shooting

Investigators say after Malone's initial encounter and shooting at around 2:15 p.m., he continued into the food court, shooting two others. Investigators say he then encountered an off-duty Atlanta Zone 1 police officer, who shot Malone, putting an end to the incident.

"After the suspect had shot the three individuals, he was encountering an Atlanta police officer who was off duty, working an extra job officer," said Chief Schierbaum with Atlanta Police Department. "That officer engaged him, open fire was able while the perpetrator was still had the gun and citizens were still seeking safety, took that perpetrator out of the mix to be able to injure anyone else."

"We're very thankful for our extra job officers working here at this mall location at the Peachtree Center. He was there, he was on the scene, he was focused, he kept his mind about him and he was able to bring safety to all these people that were in that food court by stopping this individual who had already shot three people," said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

The individuals who were injured by the shooter were a 47-year-old male from Grayson, a 69-year-old female from East Point, and a 70-year-old female from Atlanta. It is not known if the females who were injured had any connection to the incident.

All the victims and the suspected shooter were transported to a local hospital. They were alert and breathing when they were transported. 

"We believe everyone will survive at this point. Those that were taken to Grady Hospital were classified as critical."

Malone was released later that night and was booked into the Fulton County Jail.

Jeremy Malone (Fulton County Sheriff's Office)

Multiple agencies responded to the shooting in the popular food court, including Atlanta police, Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Georgia State Patrol, Atlanta Fire Rescue, MARTA police, and Georgia State police.

Accused Downtown Atlanta shooter

Schierbaum said the suspected shooter has been arrested at least 11 times and is someone who should never have been in possession of a gun.

FOX 5 Atlanta spoke to a couple of people who witnessed what happened.

Amina Sam was in the hotel district for a conference when police officers first arrived.

"They told us it was an active shooter," said Sam. "He shot four people. We watched two people get wheeled out. One was an elderly man that had a baby on his lap, going to the ambulance, and they told us the shooter was caught very recently. We saw him being put in handcuffs. It was insane. So many cops, so many guns."

Sam, who is visiting from New York, said she was just in The Hub on Monday getting her nails done. "I am leaving in a couple of hours. I just wanted to enjoy the city."

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will take over the investigation since a police officer was involved, which is standard procedure.

This story is breaking. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.