This photo released by the Atlanta Police Department of video footage on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, shows a suspected shooter. Police said Wednesday afternoon that they were investigating an “active shooter situation” in a building in Atlanta's Midtown neighborhood and that multiple people had been injured.
Caption

This photo released by the Atlanta Police Department of video footage on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, shows a suspected shooter, later identified as Deion Patterson, 24. Police said Wednesday afternoon that they were investigating an “active shooter situation” in a building in Atlanta's Midtown neighborhood and that one person was killed and at least four others were injured.

Credit: Atlanta Police Department via AP

The panel:

Adrienne Jones, pre-law professor, Morehouse College, @adriennemjns

Emma Hurt, reporter, Axios, @Emma_Hurt

Patricia Murphy, columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution@MurphyAJC

Stephen Fowler, politics reporter, GPB, @stphnfwlr

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The breakdown

1. Atlanta shooting suspect in custody; 1 killed, 4 injured.

  • On Wednesday, a man opened fire inside the waiting room of an Atlanta medical facility last week, killing one and injuring four others, police say.
  • 24-year-old Deion Patterson was arrested after a seven-hour manhunt which began in Midtown Atlanta and ended at Lismore East apartment complex in Southeastern Cobb County, near the Cumberland district and Truist Park.
    • The coordinated effort involved the Atlanta Police Department, Cobb County Police, the City of Atlanta, mayor's office and many other federal, state and local agencies.
  • A day later in Moultrie, a man fatally shot three women, including his McDonald's manager.

 

2. Elected officials respond to Midtown Atlanta shooting mostly along party lines. 

  • U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock took to the Senate floor while the manhunt was underway.

    • Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath said the nation is "under seige" from gun violence. 

  • Gov. Brian Kemp commented on the shooting after Patterson was arrested. 

LISTEN: Emma Hurt talks the likelihood of gun control legislation passing next session.

3. Patterson began treatment for mental health issues in March. 

  • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that he also scheduled a video appointment with the VA on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., just hours before opening fire. 
  • More money meant to build on the 2022 mental health omnibus bill didn't pass this session.

 

4. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens proposes largest budget in city's history and Kemp signs 2024 budget.

  • Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has proposed a $790 million general fund budget for the 2024 fiscal year, beginning July 1.

    • Many of the budget items center around what DIckens is calling the year of the youth. 
  • Meanwhile, Kemp signed Georgia's budget with raises, scholarship boosts.

 

5. Georgia's 2024 presidential primary is set.

  • Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has set Georgia's presidential preference primary for March 12, 2024.
  • Georgia's presidential primary will come one week after the so-called "Super Tuesday" of states like Texas, California and North Carolina.

 

Tuesday on Political Rewind: The AJC's Tamar Hallerman joins the panel.