ATLANTA (AP) — When police were alerted to a shooting at a downtown Atlanta food court, Joseph Grier was outside talking to reporters about his mental health, criminal record, and banking history.
Grier revealed that he was bipolar and had been off his medication for two weeks. He then proceeded to hijack a commuter bus at gunpoint, leading to a dramatic chase through three counties and resulting in the fatal shooting of a passenger.
The incidents at the food court and on the bus, which occurred only a few blocks apart, caused chaos in Atlanta. City leaders acknowledged the presence of guns on the streets but emphasized that overall violent crime rates in Atlanta were declining.
Grier, 39, faces over two dozen charges, including murder, following the bus hijacking. Authorities found no connection between Grier and Jeremy Malone, who was accused of a separate shooting at the Peachtree Center complex.
During his interactions with reporters before the shootings, Grier displayed signs of mental illness. He talked about protecting himself and the challenges he faced due to his criminal record.
City officials believe that both shootings were a result of too many people having access to guns. Grier and Malone, who both had extensive criminal histories, were not legally allowed to possess firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has requested a special prosecutor in Grier’s case due to an employee of her office being a victim or witness. Malone faces charges related to the food court shooting, and all victims are expected to survive.
