Barricaded Four Seasons suspect’s standoff detailed in arrest warrants

ATLANTA – Arrest warrants have revealed new details about the October 29 standoff in Midtown Atlanta. Researchers speak of a 70-year-old man allegedly barricaded himself in his apartment at the Four Seasonsprompting a significant police response and causing disruptions in the area.

According to the arrest warrants, Jay Berger, an ophthalmologist who has had an active medical license since 1984, fired shots in multiple directions, sparking a lengthy standoff with police from his 33rd floor home.

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

“He is known for having mental episodes, and we just need you here,” a construction crew member told the 911 operator.

According to arrest affidavits, Berger initially brandished a firearm at a building manager before barricading himself.

“A neighbor said there was a mess in the hallway,” the staff member said in the 911 recording. “I went upstairs to check out the mess, and the resident at the end of the hallway pointed a gun at me and yelled, ‘Don’t come this way. I don’t want to hurt anyone.'”

When the SWAT team arrived on the 33rd floor, water was pouring from Berger’s unit. Officers reported he fired his weapon in multiple directions, both through walls and through his front door, with a single round fragment hitting Officer Johnathan Caporaso, who had a minor wound.

The warrant describes how Berger went to his balcony and started shooting.

At that moment, a counter-sniper positioned in a neighboring building fired, grazing Berger in the head. After this, Berger reportedly put down his weapon and began throwing furniture over the balcony. That prompted the APD drone operator to alert the SWAT team in the hallway to bust through the apartment door.

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

During the course of their investigation, authorities noted in court documents that Berger was known to possess firearms and other weapons, along with much Nazi paraphernalia.

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

Berger now faces multiple charges of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers, among other charges.

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