SWAT Standoff Ends with Suspect Apprehended at Atlanta’s Four Seasons Hotel

Atlanta police successfully apprehended a barricaded suspect after a tense standoff at the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown Atlanta on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. The suspect, identified as 70-year-old J. Stevens Berger, had barricaded himself in his hotel room and fired multiple gunshots during the incident.

Incident Details

The Atlanta Police Department responded to the scene around 10 a.m. following reports of gunfire. Berger, a hotel resident, reportedly became involved in an altercation with a hotel employee before barricading himself in his room. Witnesses described hearing a series of gunshots and saw Berger throwing furniture off his balcony. During the standoff, Berger was spotted wearing a red mask on his balcony.

Chief Darin Schierbaum of the Atlanta Police Department provided an update, explaining that Berger appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis and had access to multiple firearms, including handguns, shotguns, and rifles. Police estimated that Berger fired at least 15 shots, some of which went through walls, endangering the safety of other hotel guests and staff.

Law Enforcement Response

A SWAT team was deployed to the scene to contain the situation, with officers advising a shelter-in-place for the hotel’s occupants. One Atlanta police officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the standoff. The officer was treated on the scene, and police confirmed that at least two other officers returned fire to protect themselves and others.

Eyewitness Accounts

Eyewitnesses described the incident as chaotic, comparing it to a scene from an action movie. Bystanders recalled hearing gunshots and seeing the suspect on the balcony, and some captured the event on video, which was later shared on social media.

Charges and Aftermath

The police reported that Berger would face several charges, including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Chief Schierbaum praised the courage and coordinated efforts of the responding officers, who worked to de-escalate the situation and ensure the safety of the public.

The Atlanta Police Department has not yet provided a full list of charges as the investigation continues.