Man who entered Emory University Hospital Midtown with a gun identified, police say

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A man with a gun inside Emory University Hospital Midtown caused a scare on Friday afternoon, according to police.

Around 12:30 p.m., police went to 150 Merritts Avenue after reports of a possible stolen vehicle. A citizen told them the suspect was running from a nearby apartment.

“Basically, what I saw was a guy running and I was like okay that’s crazy,” Kirsten Melton, who works across the street from Emory University Hospital Midtown, said. “He was barefoot running this way.”

Police found the man, who they identified as 20-year-old Damien Arceneaux, near West Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue. Police say he was armed. They chased him, and he ran into the hospital, police said.

According to police, Arceneaux “entered one of the hospital’s outdoor courtyards from the outside of the building” around 1:20 p.m. and one of the responding officers discharged their gun.

Police said there were no injuries and the man was arrested without further incident.

“They were rushing people into the entrance to the Emergency Room. They were trying to get people inside to shelter in place and that’s when we realized there was an active shooter,” Witness Kenny Bearden said.

“We were told it was one floor up in the cafeteria but that the guy was not apprehended so we didn’t know where he was at, so we were trying to get everyone to shelter in place,” Bearden said.

Police initially said the incident involved a patient with a gun inside an ambulance and that no shots were fired.

“Out of all places, you never think it that would happen in a hospital,” patient William Webb said. “You got to be more aware of your surroundings.”

The investigation is ongoing. Atlanta News First is working to learn more.

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