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Shooting shakes up downtown Atlanta

Police patrol streets near major facilities in search for suspect


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Georgia

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Friday's deadly courtroom shooting shut down parts of one of the busiest areas of downtown Atlanta, near state and city government offices, tourist attractions and the site of a major college basketball tournament.

The shooting took place within blocks of the state Capitol, City Hall, Georgia State University, the Underground Atlanta shopping complex, the World of Coca-Cola museum, Philips Arena, CNN Center and the Georgia Dome.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Roland W. Barnes, 64, was killed when a defendant grabbed a gun from a deputy sheriff and opened fire in a courtroom, officials said. A deputy and a court reporter also were killed, and another deputy injured. (Full story)

A search for the suspect, whom police identified as Brian Nichols, 33, was under way.

Nichols reportedly held the courtroom hostage after the shootings, then ran down the steps of the Fulton County Courthouse and into the street.

Police blocked off many downtown streets and sealed off buildings immediately following the shooting. The courthouse was put on lockdown.

As a precaution, authorities also ordered 35 schools in the city's public school system locked down as police searched for the escaped gunman. Police helicopters hovered over the city, crisscrossing paths with television news choppers.

The school district's security chief considered what neighborhoods the gunman might approach and locked down specific schools accordingly, a school system spokesman said.

Less than five schools remained on lockdown early Friday afternoon. Some suburban private schools were also on lockdown.

Within blocks of the shooting, the Georgia Dome is hosting the Southeastern Conference college basketball tournament this weekend, and uniformed security has been increased outside the facility's gates, said Brad Davis, the SEC's associate commissioner.

Davis said Atlanta police contacted him soon after the shooting to discuss security.

He said the shooting hasn't altered the tournament's schedule. Ole Miss plays Alabama and Mississippi State goes up against Florida on Friday afternoon.


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