Man arrested in shooting that killed 2 at Atlanta concert

ATLANTA — Police said tips from the public led them to arrest a suspect Wednesday in a shooting at a downtown Atlanta rap concert that left two people dead.

Jonathan Bautista, 23, was charged with two counts of murder three days after gunfire erupted at The Masquerade club at Underground Atlanta, sending an estimated 110 concert patrons fleeing for the exits as the gunman escaped amid the chaos.

Witnesses said a person in the crowd late Sunday became angry and opened fire after two people climbed onstage between performances, said Atlanta police Deputy Chief Darryl Tolleson. One of the victims died at the scene from a gunshot to the chest, while the other perished after being taken to a hospital.

“It was just a confrontation that went bad,” Tolleson told reporters at a news conference.

He said the suspect did not know the victims.

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Investigators found Bautista through tips received after authorities released his photo Tuesday and asked for help identifying the then-unknown person of interest, Tolleson said.

Bautista was arrested without incident Wednesday in the city of Social Circle, about 40 miles (65 kilometres) east of Atlanta. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney to comment on the charges.

The convert venue’s website showed rappers Cousin Stizz, Levi Carter, Big Leano and Givon were scheduled to perform Sunday. Cousin Stizz posted on Twitter that he was “completely heartbroken.”

“Before I hit the stage in Atlanta tonight, there was a shooting in the crowd, two people died and two others were injured,” the rapper tweeted. “I’m in shock and at a loss for words for the senseless violence.”

The Associated Press