Hours before a bus hijacking in Atlanta, the suspect recounted witnessing a shooting, revealing personal struggles to local reporters.
Joseph Grier, 39, now facing charges including murder, aggravated assault, and kidnapping, was seen earlier on Tuesday giving an interview to local media at a shooting scene in Atlanta. Grier spoke with NBC affiliate WXIA at Peachtree Center Mall, where a gunman had opened fire, injuring three before being subdued by police.
During the interview, Grier, in a gray shirt, described the chaotic moments as he witnessed the shooting unfold. He recounted seeing the shooter engage in a confrontation before gunfire erupted, sharing, “I was scared because I don’t have a gun, I can’t have one.”
In his conversation with reporters, Grier appeared unsettled and disclosed having bipolar disorder, noting he had been off his medication for two weeks and experiencing a manic episode. He mentioned he was armed with knives and had previously served time in jail. “Right now I’m in an extreme mode,” Grier said during the interview.
This disclosure of personal turmoil came mere hours before Grier allegedly hijacked an Atlanta transit bus, resulting in tragic consequences. The incident has since sparked renewed discussions around mental health awareness and crisis intervention in public safety contexts.
Authorities are investigating Grier’s motives and mental state leading up to the hijacking as they assess how to proceed with his case.