Peachtree Center mall shooting victim says she feels blessed after being released from hospital

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A woman who was shot at the Peachtree Center mall in downtown Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon says she and her family are doing okay after going through the traumatic experience.

Police are investigating after four people were shot at the mall off Peachtree Street, including the suspect.

City officials say the incident happened in the Peachtree Center mall’s food court.

“You never know when you go out of your door, what’s going to happen,” said Deborah Hardy.

She said she and her sister Donna, along with their 3-year-old niece, were among the many people in downtown Atlanta Tuesday afternoon.

“She played and played, so she got kind of hungry,” Hardy said. “We decided to go across the street.”

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When the family entered the Peachtree Center mall’s food court, Hardy says she noticed some commotion.

“I didn’t pay them any attention. We were trying to get something to eat,” she said. “And so they started shooting. I didn’t even realize I had gotten shot in the leg.”

That’s because Hardy, who has lived in Atlanta for over 40 years, says she and her sister were focused on protecting their niece.

“I wanted her out of the line of fire. She’s 3 years old and just starting her life. I didn’t want her to get hurt at all, and she didn’t,” Hardy said.

Hardy said her sister was shot in the ankle but is doing okay.

Thankfully, Hardy says one of the restaurants inside the food court stepped in to help.

“They were so nice. They pulled us in there, and we told them to call 911 because somebody is out there shooting,” Hardy said.

Hardy says she feels blessed to be healthy and walking 24 hours after the shooting took place.

A 47-year-old man was also shot at the food court on Tuesday. Officials say he is expected to be okay.

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