On October 29, 2024, a tense situation unfolded in Atlanta’s Midtown when J. Stevens Berger, a 70-year-old resident of the Four Seasons Hotel, barricaded himself in his 33rd-floor apartment. The incident began with a call for a mental health intervention following an altercation Berger reportedly had with a hotel employee. Police arrived around 10 a.m., prepared to assess the situation. However, upon their arrival, Berger refused to communicate and instead began firing from within his apartment.

Witnesses in the area were quickly alarmed as shots echoed through Midtown. Berger reportedly fired at least 15 rounds, using multiple weapons including a handgun, shotgun, and rifle. Although most shots were fired inside his apartment, one was discharged from the balcony, heightening public concern. Residents and nearby businesses were alerted to shelter in place as the Atlanta Police Department and SWAT team cordoned off the area to ensure public safety.

For several hours, police attempted to negotiate with Berger, but he remained uncooperative, occasionally throwing items, including furniture and a firearm, from his balcony. The intense standoff continued into the afternoon, finally concluding around 4:35 p.m. when Berger was taken into custody. The area’s lockdown was lifted shortly afterward, though police advised people to avoid the location as they processed the scene.

An officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the standoff, though police did not confirm whether the injury resulted directly from gunfire. Berger, who also sustained minor injuries, is now facing charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, among others. This incident, though alarming, ended with no loss of life, leaving residents shaken but grateful for a peaceful resolution.