A man was shot in the arm and leg during the Friday evening rush.
ATLANTA — MARTA police searched Saturday for a gunman who shot a man aboard a train arriving at Midtown station Friday evening, shutting down service for about two hours and forcing riders onto buses.
The shooting happened during the evening rush and added to fresh safety concerns on Atlanta’s rail system. Officials said the wounded man was found on the southbound platform with gunshot wounds to his left arm and leg. Medics stabilized him and took him to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was expected to survive.
MARTA announced the emergency station closure around 6:30 p.m. Friday. The agency set up a bus bridge between North Avenue, Midtown and Arts Center stations while police surrounded the area. Service resumed about two hours later. Investigators said the shooting appeared targeted, but witnesses described a sudden burst of gunfire after what they said was a dispute over a seat.
Passenger Chelsea Mensah said riders dropped to the floor when shots rang out. “All of a sudden, we hear pop pop pop, and we all hit the ground,” Mensah said. Another rider, Devonte Render, said he hid between train cars because he feared the shooter might return. Police had not released the victim’s name, the suspect’s name or a suspect description by Saturday morning.
The shooting came days after federal officials ordered a review of MARTA safety spending and crime prevention plans following two recent stabbings on the system. MARTA has said it plans to add cameras and officers ahead of the World Cup, when Atlanta expects heavy transit use.
Witnesses said the train car was chaotic after the shooting and riders waited for direction. Mensah said she usually sees security at Midtown station but did not see officers nearby Friday night. She said passengers were scared and unsure whether it was safe to move.
MARTA police and other law enforcement agencies continued searching for the gunman Saturday. The next public update is expected after investigators review witness statements, station video and train camera footage.
Author note: Last updated June 6, 2026.