Barricaded Four Seasons suspect’s standoff detailed in arrest warrants

ATLANTA – Arrest warrants revealed new details about the incident October 29 shooting in Midtown Atlanta. Investigators say a 70-year-old man He allegedly barricaded himself in his Four Seasons apartmentIt led to a significant police response and caused disruption in the area.

Jay Berger, an ophthalmologist who has had an active medical license since 1984, fired in multiple directions, prompting a prolonged standoff with police in his 33rd-floor home, according to search warrants.

Police believed Berger was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time.

“He is known for mental breakdowns and we need you here right away,” a building staff member told the 911 operator.

Arrest affidavits state Berger initially pointed a firearm at a building manager before barricading himself.

“A neighbor said there was a disturbance in the hallway,” the staff member said in the 911 recording. “I went upstairs to check things out and the resident down the hall was pointing a gun at me and yelling, ‘Don’t come this way. I don’t want to hurt anyone.'”

A man raises his arms out the window during a SWAT shootout at the Four Season in Midtown Atlanta on Oct. 29, 2024.

When the SWAT team arrived on the 33rd floor, water was flowing from Berger’s unit. Officers reported that he fired his gun in multiple directions, both through walls and outside the front door, and a fragment of a bullet struck Officer Johnathan Caporaso, who suffered minor injuries.

The warrant describes how Berger walked onto his balcony and began shooting.

At this point, a counter sniper positioned in the neighboring building opened fire, grazing Berger in the head. After this, Berger reportedly put down his gun and began throwing furniture onto the balcony. This caused APD’s drone operator to signal the SWAT team in the hallway to breach the apartment door.

Berger then surrendered without further resistance, effectively ending the conflict.

During their investigation, authorities noted in court documents that Berger was known to possess firearms and other weapons, as well as a large amount of Nazi paraphernalia.

His medical license remained active in the state database as of Tuesday night.

Berger currently faces charges of aggravated assault on law enforcement, among other allegations.

A judge denied Berger bail last week and kept him in custody as the case progresses.