What started as a drug deal soon turned deadly after two rival gangs alleged argued inside a mall in southwest Atlanta, police said.
It started about 3 p.m. Friday when police said the alleged gang members were inside the West End mall arguing over a substance in a bag, Atlanta police Sgt. Warren Pickard said.
They then left the mall as someone in a white SUV began firing shots, police said.
The groups exchanged gunfire injuring three people, including a man who was shot in the head.
The victims, two men and one woman, were take to Grady Memorial Hospital.
The shooting was a targeted attack between alleged gang members, Pickard said. Police are searching for a white SUV seen leaving the area.
Police have not released the identities of the victims.
No other details were released.
Here’s a minute-by-minute account of the shooting:
6:16 p.m.: Police are searching for the car of one of the suspected shooters.
5:37 p.m. Atlanta police are clearing the scene and roads are reopening, Channel 2 Action News reported. Police are working to obtain surveillance footage of the shooting.
5:35 p.m: Witnesses told police two rival gang members were inside the mall during an alleged drug deal gone bad, Sgt. Warren Pickard said. Police said the purported gang members argued over a substance inside a bag, then exited the mall as someone in a white SUV began firing shots. Gunfire was exchanged and three people were hit. According to police, this was a targeted attack between alleged gang members.
RELATED: Rival gangs exchange gunfire, injuring 3 outside West End mall
5:31 p.m. Police believe a gang-related drug deal gone bad inside West End mall led to the shooting.
Credit: David Alexander Barnes
Credit: David Alexander Barnes
5:18 p.m.: Atlanta police have confirmed that a man was shot in the leg and a woman was grazed in the arm by a bullet. The third man is confirmed shot in the head, but police do not know the condition of the victims.
5:08 p.m. Two men and one woman were taken to the hospital, Channel 2 reported.
4:51 p.m. Atlanta police now say three people were shot.
They believe drugs were involved based on witness accounts but they are still investigating, according to Sgt. Warren Pickard.
4:43 p.m. Atlanta police confirmed one man was shot in the head. The condition of the victims is not known.
4:35 p.m. Witnesses told Channel 2 they saw a car drive by and fire several rounds into the mall parking lot.
UPDATE [4:33 p.m.]: Part of Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard is closed as police investigate the shooting, according to Channel 2 Action News.
ORIGINAL STORY: Three men and one woman were shot Friday afternoon outside West End mall on the 800 block of Oak Street, Atlanta police said.
All have been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
No other details were released.
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