Midtown Four Seasons Hotel armed, barricaded suspect apprehended

What happened at the Midtown Four Seasons Hotel?

ATLANTA - Atlanta police and SWAT have apprehended a barricaded suspect at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown where multiple shots were fired Tuesday afternoon.

Officials identified the suspect as 70-year-old Jay Steven Berger who they said was staying in the residential section of the Four Seasons, not the short-term units within the hotel.

They said he fired at least three different types of guns and may have been armed with more weapons, including knives. A safety perimeter was quickly established, shutting down surrounding streets at the following intersections:

• 14th Street NE at W Peachtree Street NE
• 14th Street NE at Crescent Avenue NE
• 13th Street NE at W Peachtree Street NE
• 13th Street NE at Crescent Avenue NE
• 13th Street NE at Peachtree Walk NE

FOX 5 Atlanta spoke to witnesses who said the incident felt like something out of the video game "Grand Theft Auto."

"We heard ten shots. We walked outside, got everything on camera – the man throwing couches, shooting – Very chaotic, very random. This is Atlanta. This is not a real place," said Khalil Hagans.

Another witness said police prevented them from moving anywhere due to the active shooter.

"So, we looked up, and we was trying to look for him, and we seen him. We look at him for like five seconds and next thing you know 'boom, boom, boom,' he starts shooting again. So, it was like, we ducked behind here, and we just watching him," said Jordan Hall. "It was like we were in the middle of a movie."

Leah, an employee in Midtown, said she was stuck in her office until the man was arrested.

Four Seasons Hotel SWAT timeline

2:30 P.M.: SKYFOX 5 flew over the scene when a few guests at the hotel could be seen peeking over their balconies, watching patrol cars swarm the street.

3:30 P.M.: Atlanta police asked all members of the media to clear the scene south of 14th Street NE.

3:52 P.M.: Atlanta police issued a shelter in place and asked citizens to stay out of the area.

"Citizens within sight of the Four Seasons Hotel are advised to avoid any windows and rooms facing the area," a spokesperson for the department posted on X.

4:00 P.M.: FOX 5 Atlanta received photos showing what appeared to be the suspect with his hands up before throwing furniture out of a window at the hotel.

4:35 P.M.: The shelter in place was lifted, and the suspect was reportedly apprehended, according to Atlanta police.

Citizens are still asked to avoid the area.

5:15 P.M.: Atlanta police held a joint press conference with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to give more information about the incident.

Atlanta police believe at least three weapons were fired from the suspect's balcony on the 33rd floor. One Atlanta police officer was injured with non-life-threatening injuries.

At least two other officers returned fire.

Jay Steven Berger, 70, was identified as the suspect. He was arrested and taken into custody after surrendering and throwing a gun from the balcony.

Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed that Berger was suffering from a mental health crisis and had an altercation with a hotel employee. Berger reportedly wouldn't speak to police and may have had access to more weapons, including knives.

Police believe there were at least 15 shots fired throughout the incident.

Multiple charges are expected to be filed against Berger, including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.