Multiple shootings occur hours apart in metro Atlanta

Atlanta mayoral candidates provide potential solutions for city's violence problem

A violent weekend in Atlanta makes some mayoral candidates and current city council members feeling unsafe.

ATLANTA - Police confirmed since 10 p.m. on Saturday there have been at least six shootings overnight in Atlanta.

At Azule Restaurant and Lounge in Buckhead, police were still on-scene at 9 a.m. on Monday investigating a shooting where they say a man was shot and found dead.

The shooting is part of a string of violence in the Atlanta area, to which Atlanta Police Department units have responded in a matter of hours.

"Definitely been a busy weekend," Lt. Daniel Jenson said. "I don't want to go into detail more than that, it's just been extremely busy for us."

The first confirmed shooting was at around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night off Jackson Street. Atlanta police said an off-duty officer fired shots after someone started shooting at a crowd. Officials said no one was injured.

Just after 2 a.m. off of Buford Highway and Sydney Marcus Boulevard, medics rushed a victim to a hospital in critical condition after they were shot in a car. Police later reported he died.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. a victim was shot in the head off Metropolitan Parkway, police said, and transported to a hospital where they died.

Police confirmed another shooting off of Magnolia Way where a woman was shot and killed outside of an apartment complex.

In southwest Atlanta off White Oak Street, police said a woman was shot in the leg. They expect the victim to recover.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms issued the following statement about the violence:

"Atlantans deserve and expect a safe community. As our Administration continues to put considerable resources towards ending this COVID crime wave, the Anti-Violence Advisory Committee will begin work this week to make additional recommendations to help improve public safety throughout our city."

The Atlanta Police Department released a statement to their social media on Monday afternoon reading:

"The Atlanta Police Department responded to another violent weekend with people using guns as a response to conflict or disagreements. More people lost their lives, others remain in the hospital, perpetrators will soon be facing life-altering prison sentences, and family's lives are forever changed. How you manage conflict matters. How you secure your weapon matters.

"Gun violence isn’t a political issue. It is not a 2nd Amendment issue and it not a race issue. It is people making terrible decisions with guns, poor anger management, and it is a profound carelessness and lack of regard for human life issue. But this isn’t just unique to Atlanta. If you watch the national evening news, you will see this same insanity in most major cities. Contrary to the arguments and the laws, not everyone should possess a gun. Irresponsible, immature, and criminal-minded people should not possess guns.

• Leaving your gun in your car is part of the reason criminals have more access to guns.

• If your anger management is so out of control that when you disagree with someone or want something you can’t have, you think shooting someone is the answer, you are part of the problem.

• If you can’t go to a bar or restaurant and conduct yourself with decency and interact with others with a respect for life, you are stealing our peace and making our streets unsafe.

"Whether it is mass shootings, weekend shootouts at the local bar, road rage incidents, gang or domestic violence situations that turn deadly, the result is the same. These are people deciding to act unlawfully and without regard for the lives of others.

"Responsible gun ownership is key. Conflict management is also key. There are far too many reckless people in our country, terrorizing others and stealing our sense of peace and safety.

"The APD will continue to use all available resources to track down those who make our city unsafe. We will find you and ensure justice is served for the victims of these crimes. We ask that you call 911 if you see a crime being committed or see something suspicious. You can also call Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta to provide tips to crimes anonymously at 404-577-TIPS (8477). #AtlantaPolice #MySafeATL #APDCares #OneAtlanta"