A mass shooting in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood left one person dead and 10 others injured during the early morning hours of July 28, 2025, marking the culmination of a violent weekend that saw 29 people shot across the city in 12 separate incidents.
The shooting occurred around 1:27 a.m. near a streetcar stop in the 300 block of Edgewood Avenue, where four suspects—three men and one woman—approached a crowd and opened fire. The victim who died was identified as 27-year-old Santos J. Wyatt by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Among the 10 injured victims, an 18-year-old male remained in critical condition while the others were reported in stable condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. The victims ranged in age from 18 to 29 years old and included seven men and three women. At least one person underwent surgery following the incident.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum indicated during a news conference that investigators believe many of those injured were innocent bystanders caught in crossfire. Officers recovered multiple firearms and 34 shell casings from the scene, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting with the investigation.
The mass shooting was one of four separate gun violence incidents that occurred on Edgewood Avenue between early Saturday and early Monday last week, collectively wounding 16 people and killing one. Additional shootings on the same street included a person shot multiple times during a parking dispute at Edgewood and Hilliard Street, and another individual shot in the ankle at Edgewood and Boulevard.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens addressed the weekend violence during the Monday morning news conference, emphasizing that the city had not experienced such a violent weekend in a long time. The mayor noted that summer months often bring challenging times regarding crime and gun violence in communities.
Schierbaum explained that the 12 weekend shootings across Atlanta were unconnected incidents. “When I look at what connected them… none has connected the other, other than individuals had guns when they were angry,” the police chief stated. The motives for various shootings ranged from disputes over booted cars to domestic violence situations.
Despite the weekend violence, city officials highlighted that Atlanta has seen overall reductions in gun violence during 2025. The city recorded 57 criminal homicides through July 28, compared to 76 at the same time in 2024 and 92 in 2022. Officials cited a 32 percent drop in homicides and a 20 percent reduction in shootings compared to the same period the previous year.
By Monday afternoon, July 28, arrests had been made in five of the weekend shootings, including a homicide on Lakewood Avenue and a triple shooting on Middleton Road. However, investigators continued working to determine what led to the deadly Sweet Auburn incident.
The Sweet Auburn neighborhood, located just east of downtown Atlanta, holds significant historical importance as the birthplace of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The area was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1976 and includes the King National Historical Park with King’s birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the King Center.
Despite its storied civil rights history, the neighborhood has experienced recurring gun violence issues. Local business owners and community leaders have expressed concerns about safety in the area, particularly regarding the vibrant nightlife scene along Edgewood Avenue.
Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari, whose district includes the shooting location, indicated that change is needed to address the violence. She emphasized the importance of challenging a culture that normalizes guns as conflict resolution and addressing communities where violence has become dominant.
Community leaders have called for increased city support to address ongoing violence issues. Bishop Bobby Graham Jr. of the National Divine Spiritual Church noted that gun violence in the neighborhood has continued since the pandemic, particularly during street takeovers after nightlife establishments close.
The Atlanta Police Department has urged anyone with information about the Edgewood Avenue shooting or other weekend incidents to contact authorities at 404-577-TIPS. Officials continue investigating the motives behind the mass shooting while working to identify and apprehend the four suspects.
