In a chaotic and tense standoff at Atlanta’s Four Seasons high-rise, a 70-year-old doctor identified as Jay Stevens Berger was shot by a SWAT sniper after allegedly barricading himself in his 33rd-floor residence, firing at officers, and creating a scene that drew the attention of onlookers and media.
The incident, which unfolded over nearly six hours on Tuesday, began after Berger allegedly threw items into the hallway and pointed a firearm at a building manager who came to investigate. What followed was a dramatic chain of events that included multiple rounds fired through walls and doors, SWAT snipers positioned around the building, and a floor-by-floor evacuation of residents.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) provided additional details on Wednesday, confirming that Berger was injured by sniper fire before being taken into custody. Although his condition has not been updated, he was initially reported as stable upon arrival at the hospital. The standoff led to injuries for both Berger and a SWAT officer, who was possibly hurt by shrapnel. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum praised his team for handling the situation without loss of life, highlighting the bravery shown by officers who faced live gunfire as they negotiated with Berger.
Witnesses and neighbors were rattled as the stand-off escalated. Residents on the 33rd floor were evacuated, and officers shut down floors above and below to contain any potential danger. Meanwhile, Berger was reportedly seen on his balcony, donning a gas mask, waving American flags, and tossing furniture off the edge. For several hours, SWAT worked to get him to cooperate while those in nearby buildings and pedestrians below were ordered to shelter in place. The incident caused significant disruption to the normally bustling area, halting traffic and drawing crowds as helicopters circled overhead.
According to Atlanta Police, Berger used multiple firearms, including a handgun and a long gun. Officers on the scene reported that Berger even threw a weapon off his balcony at one point. Despite attempts to get him to surrender, the suspect refused to comply, forcing police to breach his door and eventually call in sniper support. Schierbaum emphasized that more than 15 shots were fired over the course of the incident, but in the end, police were able to subdue Berger without fatal injury to anyone involved.
Police responded to reports of a mental health emergency involving a barricaded individual on the 33rd floor of the residential section.
The situation escalated when the individual, identified as Jay Stevens Berger, allegedly fired more than 15 rounds from multiple weapons,… pic.twitter.com/v8cO8hWbke
— Oh So Super 🗞️ (@OhSoSuper) October 29, 2024
This video is crazy:
Active shooter at the four seasons in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/TeCSyqA8g6
— 9mmSMG (@9mm_smg) October 29, 2024
Berger’s motives remain unclear, but he now faces an investigation into potential charges of aggravated assault, among other serious violations. As more details emerged, a spokesperson for Four Seasons clarified that the incident occurred in a residential condominium section of the building that the hotel itself does not manage.
The area has since reopened, and police have lifted the shelter-in-place order, allowing Midtown residents and businesses to return to normal operations. The Atlanta Police Department, with support from the GBI, is continuing to investigate the standoff, a response Chief Schierbaum characterized as a successful resolution to a dangerous and highly unpredictable situation.
Police in Atlanta issued a shelter-in-place warning after a 70-year-old armed man believed to be having a mental health emergency had an argument with a staff member at the Four Seasons Residences. One officer was injured with non-life-threatening injuries. pic.twitter.com/Jc5N9xu6gQ
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 29, 2024
