At least one person was killed and three others injured after a gunman opened fire in a medical office building in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon, the authorities said.
The Atlanta Police Department responded to reports of an “an active shooter situation inside a building” near 1110 West Peachtree Street Northwest in Midtown Atlanta, just before 1 p.m., the police said on Twitter. The authorities said they were “actively searching” for a gunman and for any other victims.
“The suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached,” the police said.
The address belongs to Northside Family Medicine and Urgent Care. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that officers had responded to the facility.
Northside Hospital said on Twitter that it was cooperating with the authorities ”following the shooting at our midtown #Atlanta location.”
The hospital added, “This tragedy is affecting all of us, and we ask for patience and prayers at this time.”
,The police issued a public safety alert for people in the area. Atlanta Public Schools said “several” schools were in lockdown as a precaution.
The police shared initial images from security cameras inside the building that showed a man wearing a mask, a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and a cross-body bag.
The severity of the injuries was not immediately clear. Local news reports showed dozens of police vehicles and armored cars, and multiple blockades in the area.
“Anyone in the area is asked to secure their building and shelter in place,” the police said.