A mass shooting in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood early Monday morning left one man dead and 10 others wounded, marking the violent culmination of a weekend that saw 29 people shot across the city in 12 separate incidents.
The shooting occurred around 1:27 a.m. on July 28 near a streetcar stop in the 300 block of Edgewood Avenue, according to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. Officers arrived at the scene less than a minute after receiving the call, as the area is regularly patrolled due to its bustling nightlife district.
The deceased victim was identified as 27-year-old Santos J. Wyatt by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. The 10 surviving victims, ranging in age from 18 to 29, were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. Among the injured, an 18-year-old male was listed in critical condition, while the others were reported in stable condition.
Police indicated they are seeking four suspects in connection with the shooting: three men and one woman who approached a group assembled around the streetcar stop and initiated an exchange of gunfire. Schierbaum noted that investigators believe many of the victims were likely innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
Officers recovered multiple firearms and 34 shell casings from the scene. The Atlanta Police Department is working closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to analyze ballistics evidence and trace the weapons used in the attack.
The incident was part of a particularly violent weekend across Atlanta. Police Chief Schierbaum reported that from Friday through Monday morning, 29 people were shot in 12 separate incidents citywide, with two fatalities total. When including incidents from Thursday, the numbers increased to 37 people shot and five killed.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized that the city had not experienced such a violent weekend in approximately two years. He acknowledged that summer months often bring increased challenges regarding crime and gun violence in communities across the city.
Edgewood Avenue experienced particular turmoil during the weekend, with four separate shootings occurring from early Saturday through early Monday. Combined, these incidents wounded 16 people and killed one, according to Atlanta police data.
Chief Schierbaum explained that the weekend’s shootings stemmed from various disputes, including arguments over booted vehicles, domestic violence incidents, and other everyday conflicts that escalated to gunfire. He indicated that none of the 12 incidents appeared connected beyond individuals resorting to firearms when angry.
Despite the recent violence, city officials highlighted positive crime trends. Atlanta has seen a 32 percent drop in homicides and a 20 percent reduction in shootings compared to the same period last year. The city recorded 57 homicides through July 28, compared to 76 at the same time in 2024 and 92 in 2022.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene as gunshots erupted in the popular nightlife area. One witness reported calling 911 before the shooting after observing several armed individuals jump from a truck and examine vehicles on the street.
The Sweet Auburn neighborhood holds significant historical importance as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a cornerstone of Atlanta’s civil rights movement. The area was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1976 and includes the King National Historical Park.
Local business owners and community leaders expressed concern about recurring violence in the area. Some establishments have hired off-duty police officers for security, with costs ranging from $65 to $75 per hour.
The King Center, located in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, released a statement referencing founder Coretta Scott King’s vision of the center as a global epicenter for nonviolence training and strategic violence prevention. The organization indicated its commitment to working with the city and community organizations to ensure Sweet Auburn reflects the beloved community ideal.
Police are reviewing surveillance footage and 911 calls from the incident. Officials planned to release video of the four suspects and are urging witnesses to come forward with information. Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering a $5,000 reward for anonymous tips leading to arrests.
Investigators had made arrests in five of the weekend’s shooting incidents by Monday afternoon, including a homicide on Lakewood Avenue Friday and a triple shooting Saturday on Middleton Road. The department continues investigating the Sweet Auburn mass shooting and other related incidents.
