Crime scene tape is stretched across the southbound lanes of I-85 after one person was killed in a double shooting Wednesday morning on the interstate, one of Atlanta’s busiest.
The shooting stopped traffic north of the Brookwood interchange about 5:15 a.m. The lanes remain closed at 8:30 a.m., contributing to massive delays in Midtown, Buckhead and all through the northern suburbs, according to the WSB 24-hour Traffic Center.
Drivers stuck behind the closure did not move for more than two hours before authorities began turning cars around. Backups stretched all the way to the Ga. 400 merge.
“I-85, well, it’s just a parking lot,” traffic reporter Mark Arum said at 6:40 a.m.
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Multiple police vehicles and remain at the scene. According to Atlanta police, officers responding to the shooting found two people shot near the entrance to I-75 North.
One of the victims was dead at the scene and the other was stable when they were taken to a hospital. Neither has been identified.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unknown, police spokesman Officer Steve Avery said.
Authorities have not provided an updated time of clearance after their initial clearance time of 8:30 a.m. has come and gone. The shutdown is impacting the ride into Midtown on both I-85 and Ga. 400, and traffic reporter Mark Arum said there are now delays even outside the Perimeter.
“Extra delays out of the northern suburbs because of the closure into Midtown,” he said.
The Traffic Center suggests commuters take the Buford-Spring Connector, Peachtree Street or Piedmont Avenue to get around the backups inside I-285.
Outside the Perimeter, use I-285 West, I-75 South or Roswell Road to get into Buckhead and Midtown.
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