Suspect opens fire on Atlanta train as women, children cower in second bloody attack on MARTA in one week

A suspect is on the run after shooting a man on the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train this week, the second act of violence that has been carried out. The man who was shot was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and police are currently searching for the suspect.

The shooting comes just days after a great-grandmother was stabbed to death on the MARTA train in a random attack. Police said that the shooting that took place on Friday night appears to be targeted, per Fox 5.

Footage from the aftermath of the shooting showed women and children ducking to take cover. The victim appeared to be an adult black male and was shot in the arm as well as the leg. Medics on the scene were able to stabilize the man before he was taken to the hospital.

MARTA officials said that the shooting appeared to be a targeted attack. Witnesses were on the train when the gunman pulled out the firearm and started shooting.   

“I get on my train car and not even seconds we hear, ‘Pop, pop, pop,’ and my whole train, we just fall down to the ground,” witness Chelsea Mensh said, per WSB-TV. “It was honestly very scary.” The police on the scene told those on the train to get off the train and go to the upper-level of the station while police looked for the suspect.

The shooting and stabbing took place in the same week after there was another attack on the train. In light of the violent instances, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called on the MARTA to provide answers to how the violence has taken place.

Duffy demanded that MARTA provide figures on security funding, safety, and action items to prevent crime. "Margaret’s family DESERVES ACCOUNTABILITY. No one should be forced to fear for their safety on public transit."

Police are still searching for the suspect in Friday's shooting.