A mass shooting in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood early Monday morning, July 28, left one person dead and 10 others wounded near a bustling nightlife district, according to Atlanta police. The incident occurred around 1:27 a.m. in the 300 block of Edgewood Avenue near a streetcar stop.
Police Chief Darin Schierbaum identified the deceased victim as 27-year-old Santos J. Wyatt. The 10 surviving victims, ranging in age from 18 to 29, were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. An 18-year-old male remains in critical condition, while the other victims are reported to be in stable condition.
Investigators are searching for four suspects — three men and one woman — who police believe approached a group gathered at the streetcar stop and initiated an exchange of gunfire. Officers recovered multiple firearms and 34 shell casings from the scene. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with the investigation.
Schierbaum indicated that many of the victims appeared to be innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Police officers were already patrolling the area when the shooting occurred and arrived at the scene within one minute of receiving the initial call. The department is reviewing surveillance footage and 911 calls while working to identify the suspects.
The shooting was part of a violent weekend across Atlanta that saw 12 separate gun violence incidents resulting in 29 people shot and two killed. Schierbaum noted that the incidents were unconnected except for the common factor of individuals using firearms when angry. “This department will not rest until we identify who’s responsible,” Schierbaum said during a Monday morning news conference.
Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized the city’s ongoing violence prevention initiatives during the press conference. He highlighted that Atlanta has seen significant crime reductions this year, with 57 homicides recorded compared to 76 at the same time last year. The city has also experienced a 32 percent drop in homicides and a 20 percent reduction in shootings compared to the same period in 2024.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as gunshots erupted in the popular entertainment district. One witness reported calling 911 after observing several armed individuals jump out of a truck before the shooting began. The victim’s body was visible in the street before the medical examiner arrived to process the scene.
The Sweet Auburn neighborhood holds significant historical importance as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and serves as a civil rights destination. The area was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1976 and includes the King National Historical Park with King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the King Center.
Despite its historical significance, the area has experienced recurring gun violence incidents. Police responded to three additional shootings on Edgewood Avenue over the same weekend, including a separate incident at 345 Edgewood Avenue early Saturday morning that wounded three people. These incidents brought the total number of people shot on Edgewood Avenue during the weekend to 16.
Local business owners and community leaders have expressed concerns about the ongoing violence affecting the area’s reputation. The nightlife district typically experiences heavy foot traffic, and police maintain a regular presence in the corridor. Authorities indicated they are assessing security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Police plan to release surveillance video of the four suspects and are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS. The motives behind the weekend’s various shooting incidents ranged from disputes over booted vehicles to domestic violence situations, according to police officials.
Arrests have been made in five of the weekend’s 12 shooting incidents, including a homicide on Lakewood Avenue and a triple shooting on Middleton Road. The investigation into the Sweet Auburn mass shooting remains ongoing as authorities work to identify and apprehend the four suspects responsible for the violence that shattered the historic neighborhood’s early Monday morning calm.
