It was freezing in Atlanta this morning. Like, "pipes bursting and layers required" kind of cold. Because of that, the city opened up warming centers, including the one at the Central Park Recreation Center on Merritts Avenue. But around 9:50 a.m., things went south fast. A shooting in Atlanta GA today at that very location has a lot of people looking for answers, especially since these spots are supposed to be safe havens for the most vulnerable people in the neighborhood.
Honestly, the details coming out of the Old Fourth Ward are pretty jarring. According to the Atlanta Police Department, a 37-year-old man named Antonio Wooten was inside the shelter when he reportedly became "irate." He didn't just yell; he pulled out a handgun and started firing.
The Chaos at the Warming Center
Two men were hit. One of them is in really rough shape after being shot four or five times, while the other was hit at least once. Both were rushed over to Grady Memorial Hospital. If there’s any silver lining here, it’s that both victims are currently expected to survive.
But here is the part that’s getting a lot of attention: an off-duty Atlanta officer was actually working security at the center. When the shots rang out, the officer drew his weapon and fired at Wooten. He didn't actually hit the guy, but Wooten ended up with a broken arm after falling to the ground during the chaos. He’s in custody now, also at Grady getting treated for that arm before he likely heads to jail.
The Big Question: How Did a Gun Get In?
You’ve probably seen the signs. Most city-run buildings, especially shelters and recreation centers, have "No Weapons" signs posted everywhere. Major Peter Malecki with APD confirmed there are even metal detectors at the 400 Merritts Avenue location.
So, how does someone walk in with a handgun?
Police are basically saying that’s the focus of the investigation right now. It's a huge lapse in security that has local parents on edge, especially since the Kindezi School right across the street had to go into an immediate lockdown. One witness, Ron Hutton, told local reporters he didn't even hear an argument—just the sudden pop-pop-pop of gunfire. It’s that kind of random, "out of nowhere" violence that really rattles a community.
Another Incident Near the Chamblee Walmart
While the Central Park situation was unfolding, another shooting in Atlanta GA today (technically just across the line in DeKalb County) drew a massive police presence. Around 5:00 p.m., the GBI was called to the Walmart on Chamblee Tucker Road.
Details are still a bit thin on this one, but we know a Chamblee police officer was involved. The area around Chamblee Village was taped off for hours. Between these two events and a tragic accidental shooting of a 14-year-old in Southwest Atlanta yesterday, it’s been a heavy 24 hours for the metro area.
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Making Sense of the Stats
It’s easy to feel like the city is spiraling when news like this hits all at once. If you look at the raw numbers from the Atlanta Police Department's latest reports, they actually claim that overall shootings were down about 21% moving into 2026. That sounds great on paper.
However, a recent survey from the Major Cities Chiefs Association suggests a different story for certain categories. While homicides might be dipping, aggravated assaults—which include non-fatal shootings like the one today—have actually seen some spikes in Atlanta compared to other major U.S. cities.
It’s a weird contradiction. The city is getting "safer" by some metrics while feeling increasingly volatile in others.
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Why This Matters for the Old Fourth Ward
The Old Fourth Ward is a neighborhood in transition. You’ve got luxury apartments popping up next to historic homes and city parks. When a shooting happens at a recreation center that serves as a community hub, it creates a rift.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is now leading the probe into the officer-involved portion of the warming center shooting. That’s standard protocol whenever a cop fires their weapon, but it adds another layer of scrutiny to the whole event.
What You Should Do Next
If you live in the area or were planning to visit Central Park, expect some closures. The people who were using that warming shelter have been moved over to the Gateway Center for now.
- Stay Clear of 400 Merritts Ave: Crime scene investigators are likely to be on-site for the remainder of the evening.
- Monitor DeKalb Alerts: If you’re near Chamblee Tucker Road, traffic is a mess due to the Walmart investigation.
- Check on Your Neighbors: Especially with this cold snap, the closure of a primary warming center means people might be looking for alternative places to stay warm.
Keep an eye on the official APD news feed or the GBI's press releases for the specific charges against Wooten, which should be filed by tomorrow morning.