ATLANTA — Police reportedly arrested a local man in the Atlantic Station Publix in downtown Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon. The man was allegedly in possession of five guns and body armor.
According to the information provided by police, a witness observed the man as he walked into the store with a rifle. The man then went directly into the restroom inside the store, and being notified of the situation by the witness, the store manager immediately called police around 1:30 p.m.
Officers responded to the store quickly, briefly spoke with the manager and then quickly detained the man without incident as he was exiting the restroom. He was in possession of two long guns and three handguns, all five of which were reportedly concealed, and unspecified body armor.
Grady EMS was on the scene and conducted a mental health evaluation of the man, who was identified as 22-year-old Rico Marley. At last report, he was in the Fulton County Jail charged with reckless conduct. The firearms and body armor were taken into evidence. Police are working to determine if the man is licensed to carry a gun.
Around 5:30 p.m., about four hours after the man was arrested, police were on scene at the same location investigating a suspicious package at the store. There is no word whether the two incidents may be connected.
The Publix remained closed to shoppers, but it was business as usual for the surrounding businesses, with most people in the area unaware of the happenings of earlier in the day.
