By Rebecca Klapper
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Two Atlanta police officers were shot in the 700 block of Peachtree Street in Midtown on Wednesday afternoon, one officer is in stable condition and the other was killed, the Atlanta Police Department reported.
The injured officer was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital via squad car, according to an alert posted on Twitter. The officer is in stable condition and Police Chief Rodney Bryant said he is talking to police and family members.
The names of the officers have not yet been released to give the families time to be properly notified.
Deputy Chief of Investigations Charles Hampton Jr. said authorities believe one suspect was fatally struck during the shooting. The suspect has not yet been identified, and officials say they believe he was working alone but do not yet have an official confirmation.
As the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, people are ordered to avoid the area.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it was joining the investigation at the Solace on Peachtree Apartments located at 710 Peachtree St. NW.
During a press conference, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said the two officers that were shot had been responding to an initial report of gunfire in the apartment building. Officials said the officers were met with gunfire as soon as the elevator doors opened.
"While so many of us run from danger, our officers run into danger, which is what happened today," Bottoms said.
"To all of our members of public safety, thank you for what you do for us."
The initial shooting took place on the eighth floor of the apartment building, and Hampton said a victim of that shooting had been transferred to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on Twitter that he and his family were praying for the officer who was shot.
"Georgia stands with the brave men and women who protect us every day," he wrote.
Live updates for this story have ended.
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Jun 30, 2021 at 04:21 PM EDT
Witness reports of shooting
Patrick Walker, who works as a concierge at the Peachtree Apartments, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he heard gunfire. Afterwards, he saw an officer being carried out who was "bleeding so bad."
"I've never known what it meant to run for your life and be so scared," he told the newspaper. "Now I do."
Deputy Chief of Investigations Charles Hampton Jr. said the officers involved in the incident were escorted downstairs, with one in stable condition.
Atlanta real estate agent Jamie Sternlieb told the Journal she saw the commotion on her way to pick up a prescription. She said there was concern that police were still searching for another suspect.
"People are really freaked out because they think someone's on the loose," Sternlieb told the Journal. "I don't know if that's true or not, but they're not letting anyone into that area and they're not letting cars through."
During the press conference, Hampton did not confirm if police were searching for another suspect, but only said they believed the suspect to have been fatally struck and working alone.
Peachtree Street is closed during the investigation, and is expected to remain closed into the evening.
Jun 30, 2021 at 03:38 PM EDT
Officials provide updates at press conference
Atlanta Police Department provided updates on the situation at a press conference held by the Fox Theatre on Peachtree Street.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Chief Rodney Bryant and Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. spoke at the press conference.
Officials confirmed two police officers were responding to an initial shooting in an apartment on the eighth floor of the Peachtree Apartments building after 1:00 p.m. when they were ambushed.
Hampton said officers were met with gunfire as soon as the elevator doors opened. One officer was killed and the other was shot and is in stable condition at the hospital. The names have not been released until the families can be properly notified.
Bryant emphasized it is a "very active and early on investigation", and the death is still being investigated.
Officials say they believe one suspect was fatally struck, and Hampton said there was no confirmation yet if the suspect had accomplices, but authorities believe he was working alone. The suspect has yet to be identified.
A victim of the original shooting that officers were responding to was also transported to a local hospital and was confirmed to be in stable condition.
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Jun 30, 2021 at 03:10 PM EDT
Additional shootings confirmed before press conference
FOX journalist Portia Bruner reported at least two other shooting victims were confirmed in addition to the Atlanta Police Department officer who had been shot in the incident.
Videos showing police cars and SWAT teams at and around 710 Peachtree Street were posted to social media, and journalist Meghan Packer said the scene was still "extremely active."
Updates on the situation will be provided at a press conference held by the Fox Theatre on Peachtree Street.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Police Chief Rodney Bryant and Deputy Chief of Investigations Charles Hampton Jr. will speak at the press conference.
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