ATLANTA — Editor's note: The officer hurt in the shooting was released from the hospital, according to APD on Wednesday.
An Atlanta Police Department (APD) officer and a 70-year-old man are still hospitalized following a prolonged, tense standoff at the Four Seasons in Midtown Atlanta on Tuesday.
The incident, which escalated from a reported dispute into multiple rounds of gunfire, unfolded over several hours and concluded with the arrest of the suspect, identified as Jay Stevens Berger, a doctor in the community.
Records from the Georgia Composite Medical Board state that he's been certified since 1984 and practices ophthalmology, which is an eye care specialist. Berger practiced in Atlanta from 2011 to 2021 in Fulton County.
Timeline | Midtown Four Seasons Shooting
(This timeline was updated to reflect new information from GBI)
The crisis began late Tuesday morning, just after 10 a.m. when APD officers responded to a reported altercation on the 33rd floor of the residential section of the Four Seasons, located off 14th Street. According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, the initial call came in as a mental health emergency involving Berger, who allegedly became aggressive with a hotel staff member. When officers arrived, Berger refused to open the door and appeared agitated.
10:12 a.m.
Atlanta Police Department (APD) received a call from the Four Seasons’ residential manager, reporting that Berger had pointed a gun at him.
The manager, was alerted by a resident about disturbances on the 33rd floor, who said they had approached Berger’s door and was confronted by the suspect, who allegedly brandished a firearm. The manager immediately retreated and called police.
10:30 a.m.
Officers arrived and attempted to make contact with Berger, who was reportedly uncooperative, remaining barricaded inside his apartment.
APD identified Berger as having multiple firearms inside his unit, including a handgun, shotgun, and rifle. As a precaution, APD evacuated residents from the 33rd floor and floors nearby.
11 a.m.
Berger’s behavior escalated as he reportedly began firing shots from within his apartment. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire through the hallway walls and door. SWAT officers, positioned in adjacent locations, assessed the situation and continued negotiations.
Noon
Witnesses said Berger could be seen on his balcony, wearing a gas mask and waving American flags. He reportedly threw furniture and other items from the balcony, which escalated concerns for nearby residents and pedestrians.
Witnesses within the hotel said gunfire echoed throughout the building as SWAT maintained their positions.
3 p.m.
SWAT units with snipers, positioned themselves around Berger’s apartment and secured nearby floors and streets, including portions of 12th and 14th streets, Crescent Avenue, and Peachtree Walk. Hotel guests and residents on the upper floors were instructed to remain inside and take cover as the situation continued.
4:15 p.m.
After nearly six hours of attempts to negotiate, Berger reportedly stepped onto his balcony and appeared to gesture as if surrendering. Shortly afterward, he resumed erratic behavior, and a SWAT sniper fired, striking Berger. Following this, SWAT officers entered the apartment and apprehended Berger without further incident.
S.W.A.T. Officer Jonathan Caporaso was reportedly hit during the incident, but officers did not say when.
"We hear the guy still getting more agitated and screaming," One witness said on Tuesday following the chaos. "Then we started hearing shots; we just heard errant shots since so I don’t know what the hell’s going on now."
APD has not specified the officer’s exact injuries, but he is expected to recover. The suspect, Berger, also received treatment for unspecified injuries. His condition is stable, and police anticipate filing aggravated assault charges along with additional charges once the investigation concludes.
Guests and residents described the alarming scenes unfolding around them. One hotel guest confined to her room said, “I thought I heard gunshots and kind of jumped up. The street was full of policemen, but nobody seemed to be rushing around, so I figured it was okay.”
Next steps in Midtown Four Seasons shooting
APD has requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) review the use of force by two officers involved in the standoff, who discharged their weapons after Berger reportedly fired from his balcony.
“We saw bravery," Chief Schierbaum said, commending the APD’s response during a press conference on Tuesday. "We saw an effort to make sure we preserve life."
Berger’s past in the community, where he reportedly served as a mentor to medical students, has left those who knew him in shock. A friend expressed her disbelief, describing Berger as “a kind man who always treats people with respect,” adding that she and others are “grateful more people were not hurt.”