ATLANTA — Atlanta Police Department officials said Friday that an officer fired his gun inside Emory University Midtown Hospital after chasing a suspect into the facility, with no one hit by the gunfire or injured.
The incident set off a scare at the busy Midtown hospital.
According to APD, it began around 1:20 p.m. when officers responded to a location north of Downtown Atlanta for a stolen vehicle call. When they arrived, they were told by someone on scene that a suspect had fled from a nearby apartment - with the officers eventually locating him less than a mile away at the intersection of West Peachtree St. and Linden Ave.
"Responding officers observed that the suspect was in possession of a firearm and attempted to flee the area on foot. Officers pursued the suspect where he ran inside of Emory Hospital," police said.
Emory officials added in a statement that the suspect went into one of the hospital's outdoor courtyards from outside of the building, where a responding APD officer discharged a firearm.
"Officers confronted the suspect and one of the responding officers discharged his firearm. No one was struck by the gunfire and officers were able to place the suspect into custody without further incident," APD said.
Emory said there is no active threat and the hospital continues to operate as usual.
APD said that the investigation into the incident is active. Any charges against the original suspect are not yet clear.
"With police still on-site investigating, the roads around the hospital may remain congested this afternoon," Emory added in the statement. "We are committed to providing a safe environment for our patients, visitors, staff and physicians, with a well-trained security team and weapons detectors in place at hospital entrances. We appreciate the quick response by APD and Emory Police Department."