1 dead, 3 injured in ‘targeted’ shooting on MARTA train; suspect in custody

One person died and three others were injured after a “targeted, but isolated” shooting Thursday on a train at the West Lake MARTA station in northwest Atlanta, the transit agency’s police chief said.

Chief Wanda Dunham identified the victim as 38-year-old Zachariah Hunnicutt. In response to the shooting, MARTA police on Friday will have an increased presence “across our entire system,” she said. “The safety of our passengers continues to be our No. 1 priority.”

The suspect, Chauncey Lee Daniels, was arrested after he tripped and fell trying to escape, Channel 2 Action News reported. He waived his first court appearance Friday, according to a Fulton County Sheriff’s Office spokesman.

It was not immediately known if the train was arriving or departing the station at the time of the shooting.

The injured passengers, two men and a woman, were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, according to officials. Their injuries are non-life-threatening. A fifth person was injured in the panic but was not hit by gunfire.

MARTA spokesman Erik Burton said preliminary information indicated the shooting happened about 4:30 p.m. Passengers on the train were removed, he said.

“My thoughts and prayers remain with the victim and everyone impacted in today’s incident,” MARTA CEO Keith Parker said. “MARTA remains committed to the safety and well-being of our customers.”

The West Lake station, which is on the blue rail line just north of I-20, was closed for hours before officials reopened it about 8 p.m. After the shooting, officials set up a bus bridge to transport passengers between the Hamilton E. Holmes and Ashby stations, Burton said. Buses returned to their normal operating schedule about 9:20 p.m.

Parker commended first responders “for their ability to quickly mobilize and isolate (the) situation.”

It is not known what led to the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to call MARTA at 404-848-4911.