COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Editor's Note: The video used in this article is from previous coverage of this topic.
Mableton's mayor is calling for a series of public safety meetings after a 15-year-old was critically injured near Six Flags Over Georgia last Saturday.
The Cobb County Police Department said officers responded to assist Six Flags security around 6:15 p.m. on March 2 as a crowd of 500 to 600 were "running through the park and fighting." Officers were able to follow the crowd out of the park onto Six Flags Parkway near South Service Road.
Around this location, a 15-year-old was shot after multiple people began shooting at police, with gunfire hitting an unoccupied Cobb County Police car, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The teen was rushed to Grady Hospital, where he is in critical condition, the GBI said.
Cobb Police said the teen will face several charges in connection with the incident, including aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, possession of a firearm under 18 and interference with government property.
Now, on Monday, Mableton Mayor Michael Owens said he is calling for a series of meetings with public safety and community leaders to address concerns and devise strategies to ensure the safety of people within the area.
The meetings will include Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens, Cobb County Public Safety Director Michael Register and Cobb County Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer. Additional invitations have also been extended to the President of Six Flags, David Zellner, and Cobb County Commissioner Monique Sheffield.
"The safety and security of our residents and visitors are paramount, and it is imperative that we collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies and Six Flags management to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement proactive measures to mitigate risks," Owens said.
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During the meetings, city, county and business leaders will analyze the events that took place leading up to, during and after the incident inside and outside of the amusement park on the season's opening day. According to a release, the mayor also plans to ask public safety leaders to discuss current safety protocols and procedures and consider what can be done to enhance security around the area.
"As leaders entrusted with the well-being of our community, it is our collective responsibility to prioritize public safety and take decisive action to address emerging challenges," Owens said. "By working together collaboratively, we can effectively safeguard the welfare of individuals who patronize Six Flags and its surrounding areas."
This is not the first time an incident has occurred at the theme park during its season-opening day. 11Alive previously reported on March 4, 2023, nearly one year from Saturday's shooting, young people were kicked out of Six Flags for "inappropriate behavior" on the opening day.
Voters in the southern part of Cobb County chose to ratify and create the new City of Mableton in November 2022, and according to its website, it is now the largest city in the county. The cityhood included parts of unincorporated Smyrna and Austell, putting Six Flags under its jurisdiction.
11Alive reached out to the city for specific dates for these meetings and will provide that information once it's obtained.