Rash of violence on All-Star Game day; police respond to 12 shootings over the weekend
ATLANTA - The rash of crime during NBA All-Star weekend continues into Sunday with at least two more shootings almost at the exact same time.
Around 3:10 a.m., Atlanta police officers heard shots near a club on Courtland Street and found a man struck in the arm. Similarly, on Whitehall Street, officers heard gunshots and discovered a man who appeared to be hit in the rear.
Law enforcement have been on high alert and 12-hour shifts, as thousands flock to Atlanta for the chance to party, despite city leaders discouraging out-of-towners from visiting, citing coronavirus concerns.
"If you come here and choose to get involved in gun violence or other serious criminal activity, please plan to stay because you will be staying in the Fulton County jail," said Deputy Chief Michael O’Connor with Atlanta Police.
The repeated calls for peaceful resolutions have been seemingly ignored.
FOX 5 counted twelve separate shootings in city limits since Firdayday. Gunshots even sounded off in broad daylight. Some incidents stemmed from arguments, while others escalated when people confronted car break-in suspects.
Plus, law enforcement was on the receiving end of violence. A Georgia State trooper is in the hospital, after reportedly being dragged by a vehicle during a traffic stop Saturday.
On Sunday one man was shot, another injured after police say a group tried to rob the two men at a gas station near Georgia State University.
The incident happened at the Race Trac on Piedmont Avenue. Both men are expected to survive.
SEE ALSO: 1 shot, 1 injured in downtown Atlanta shooting
"We have noticed since people are coming in from other cities the crime has gone up in Atlanta and that’s just not who we are as a city," Longtime Atlanta Resident MJ Lee said.
Six people were arrested Friday involved in street racing.
MORE: Atlanta police seize guns and drugs in illegal street racing arrests
Atlanta Police report finding several firearms and narcotics inside one of the cars.
Crime plagued nearby jurisdictions Saturday as well: An interstate shooting in DeKalb County, a homicide in Gwinnett County, and a triple shooting in Brookhaven.
Witnesses to any of these incidents are asked to come forward. You can remain anonymous.
GET MORE CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY HEADLINES
Atlanta police condemned the surge in violent crime in recent weeks, citing seven separate incidents the last weekend of February. The city surpassed that number this weekend.
WATCH: FOX 5 Atlanta live news coverage
_____
Sign up for FOX 5 email alerts
Download the FOX 5 Atlanta app for breaking news and weather alerts.