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Atlanta veteran arrested for shooting five people, killing one
An Atlanta veteran was arrested following a tense manhunt after he allegedly shot and injured four people, killing one. The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Deion Crumley Patterson,
The shooting took place around noon on Wednesday at a medical facility in Midtown Atlanta. Patterson reportedly entered the facility and shot his first victim, prompting the first 911 call. He then fled the scene, stole a truck, and led police on a manhunt that lasted for several hours.
The shooting spree at the medical facility prompted a city-wide manhunt, with police officers and SWAT teams scouring the area for the suspect. The search eventually led to an apartment complex in the nearby town of Roswell, where Patterson was apprehended by law enforcement officers.
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Patterson's mother, Brenda Harrison, spoke to reporters after her son's arrest. She expressed shock and disbelief at the allegations against her son and urged the public to reserve judgment until more information is available.
She said that the Atlanta veteran had been in the US Army for two years, and that he had been discharged due to a medical condition. Crumpler did not provide any further details on her son’s medical condition.
"I'm just devastated," Harrison said. "I can't believe this is happening. Deion is a good person. He served our country, and he's always been a responsible and respectful young man."
Harrison said her son had recently been struggling with mental health issues and had sought help from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
"He was having a tough time, and he needed help," Harrison said. "He went to the VA, but they didn't do enough for him. They just gave him some pills and sent him on his way."
Harrison said she was grateful that her son was alive and in police custody but was concerned about his well-being.
"I just want him to get the help he needs," Harrison said. "I don't want him to be punished for something that was beyond his control."
The Atlanta veteran is facing multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, and theft. He is being held without bond at the Fulton County Jail.
Patterson’s motive for the shooting is not yet clear. Atlanta Police Department Chief Darin Schierbaum said that investigators are still trying to determine the events that led up to the shooting.
The victims of the shooting are recovering at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. Three of the women are in critical condition and underwent surgery, while the fourth victim is in stable condition and is not expected to need surgery. The CDC, in a statement, confirmed that one of the victims was an employee of the agency and expressed condolences to her family and colleagues.
“Our hearts are with her family, friends, and colleagues as they remember her and grieve this tragic loss,” the statement read.
