The city of Atlanta was sent reeling from a sudden outbreak of violence that erupted within the food court of Peachtree Center. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, 34-year-old Jeremy Malone is accused of orchestrating a shooting that left three people wounded last Tuesday afternoon. According to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, Malone entered the scene armed and following an argument, proceeded to discharge the firearm, shooting the involved party and then two bystanders.

In the frantic aftermath captured on 911 calls released to the public, it is clear witnessing the violence unfold sent bystanders into a panic. Huddling after heard gunshots in their establishment, one employee from Willy's Mexicana Grill told a 911 operator, "We heard gunshots fired and we just ran. It was one, then we heard multiple - two, three, four, five - and then it just stopped," as documented by FOX 5 Atlanta. Both women that were shot took shelter in the restaurant, where the caller was also situated.

Atlanta police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation provided information on the progression of the event. Malone initially engaged with a 47-year-old man leading to gunfire. Then, the disruption of lives continued as he shot a 69-year-old woman from East Point followed by a 70-year-old woman from Atlanta. The incident report notes that an off-duty police officer, present at the scene, engaged Malone in an exchange of gunfire after Malone failed to comply with commands to drop the weapon. The confrontation ended with Malone injured by the officer's fire.

Atlanta News First, in an interview, relayed the harrowing experience of one of the victims, Deborah Hardy. With shots ringing out almost blending into the backdrop of normalcy, she recounted, "I didn't pay them any attention. We were trying to get something to eat," said Hardy to Atlanta News First. "And so they started shooting. I didn't even realize I had gotten shot in the leg." Hardy and her sister Donna were reported to be in protective mode, focusing on their 3-year-old niece through the chaos.

Malone, with a history of being arrested 11 times and serving 15 years for two counts of robbery by intimidation in 2007, is currently detained at the Fulton County Jail. Facing charges that include aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, he remains a focal point of a city attempting to comprehend and recover from the violence that tore through the food court on a seemingly average day.