ATLANTA — A wave of gun violence swept through Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood, culminating in a mass shooting along Edgewood Avenue that left 11 people shot, one fatally, in the early hours of Monday, July 28, 2025. The incident, part of a broader surge of shootings over the weekend, has heightened concerns about gun violence in the city’s bustling nightlife district.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed that 27-year-old Santos J. Wyatt was killed in the shooting, which occurred around 1:27 a.m. near a streetcar stop in the 300 block of Edgewood Avenue. Ten others were wounded, including an 18-year-old male who remains in critical condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. The other victims, seven men and three women aged 18 to 29, are reported to be in stable condition.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute that escalated into gunfire when a group of four suspects—three men and one woman—approached a crowd at the streetcar stop and opened fire. Authorities recovered 34 shell casings and multiple firearms at the scene, and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) is working closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to analyze evidence. Surveillance footage from the heavily patrolled nightlife district is under review, and police are urging witnesses to share any photos or videos that could aid the investigation.
Mayor Andre Dickens, speaking at a Monday morning press conference, emphasized the role of widespread firearm availability and unresolved disputes in fueling the city’s gun violence. “We know where the triggers were pulled. We don’t know why the triggers were pulled,” Dickens said, calling for community assistance to identify the perpetrators. He urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477), noting that a $5,000 reward is available for anonymous tips leading to an arrest.
The Edgewood Avenue mass shooting was one of three shootings in the area that night. Earlier, a parking dispute near Edgewood Avenue and Hilliard Street left one person shot multiple times; they were transported to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition. Another individual was shot in the ankle at Edgewood Avenue and Boulevard, also reported as stable. Additionally, a separate death investigation near the Freedom Parkway ramp to I-75/85 is underway, though police have stated it is not believed to be connected to the Edgewood incidents.
The weekend was marked by an alarming spike in gun violence across Atlanta. From Thursday, July 24, to Monday morning, July 28, the APD responded to 12 separate shooting incidents, resulting in 37 people shot and five fatalities. Chief Schierbaum noted that the incidents appeared unrelated but shared a common theme: “Individuals had guns and they were angry.” Disputes over minor issues, such as cars being booted, domestic conflicts, and dating disagreements, escalated into deadly violence, including a case where a nephew killed his uncle.
Despite this violent weekend, Atlanta’s overall homicide rate has declined in 2025. As of July 28, the city recorded 57 homicides, down from 76 during the same period in 2024 and 92 in 2022. Mayor Dickens highlighted ongoing initiatives, such as the Mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction and the Nightlife Division, which provide training, resources, and youth-focused programs to curb violence. “This work is about people. It is about the lives that are lost, the families that are shattered, and the communities traumatized by violence that should have never happened in the first place,” Dickens said.
Police emphasized that many victims in the Edgewood shooting were likely innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. “This department will not rest until we identify who’s responsible and bring those individuals to justice,” Schierbaum vowed. The APD is reassessing patrols and safety measures in the nightlife district to prevent future incidents.
Authorities continue to seek public assistance in solving the Edgewood Avenue mass shooting. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers Atlanta by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477), visiting www.StopCrimeATL.org, or texting CSGA.
