The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Police: Man took 5 guns, body armor into metro area Publix
Just two days after a mass shooting left 10 people dead at a Colorado supermarket, Atlanta police arrested a 22-year-old man who walked into a Publix at Atlantic Station with five guns and body armor.
Police were called to the grocery store on Atlantic Drive just after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and met with a manager who told them a man came in with a rifle and headed straight toward a bathroom, authorities said.
“A witness observed the male and alerted store management, who then notified police,” Atlanta police spokesman Officer Anthony Grant told The Atlanta Journal-constitution.
Officers at the scene spotted the man leaving the bathroom and quickly took him into custody. According to police, his weapons included two long guns and three pistols, all of which were concealed on his person.
Police identified the man as Rico Marley and said he has been charged with reckless conduct.
Officers and paramedics interviewed Marley and conducted a psychiatric evaluation, authorities said. Police are still working to determine why he had so many guns inside the store.
In addition to the man’s arrest, police are also investigating a suspicious package
that was discovered in the parking deck, authorities said. It wasn’t immediately clear if the incidents are related.
Charles Russell, who delivers groceries for Instacart, said he entered the Publix restroom and saw the man with a rifle inside a stall.
“I seen an AR-15,” Russell told Channel 2 Action News. “(That) kind of startled me with the events that recently happened in the grocery store up in Colorado.”
The man was wearing a white T-shirt and black pants, Russell said, but apparently was not wearing the body armor at the time. Concerned for his safety and the safety of other shoppers, Russell said he told a manager what he saw and urged the store employees to call 911.
In a statement, a Publix spokeswoman said the safety of customers and employees is the company’s priority.
“We are cooperating with local law enforcement on an incident that occurred earlier today in our Atlantic Station store,” Nicole Krauss wrote in an emailed statement. “We are thankful that there were no injuries, and all were able to exit the store safely. The store is currently closed.”
Several police cars were parked at Atlantic Station as officers continue the investigation. Atlantic Drive, one of the main surface streets that runs in front of Publix, is closed to traffic by gates and security guards.
Shoppers were being turned away as they approached the grocery store Wednesday afternoon, but there were still plenty of people milling about the openair mall. Most of those at Atlantic Station appeared unaware of the situation at the Publix as nearby restaurants served guests on patios and shops remained open.