Atlanta police arrest felon after shots fired at vehicles outside Marietta Boulevard nightclub parking lot

Body-camera footage captures response to pre-dawn gunfire near a northwest Atlanta club

Atlanta police arrested a 44-year-old man after officers said he fired multiple shots at vehicles outside a northwest Atlanta nightclub in the early morning hours of Jan. 17, 2026. The incident, which occurred near 1271 Marietta Blvd. NW, was recorded on police body-worn camera video. No injuries were reported.

Police said an officer was conducting a routine traffic stop at about 3:23 a.m. when he heard several gunshots nearby. As the officer moved toward the sound, security personnel from a nightclub at the same address flagged him down and reported that they had disarmed a man who had been shooting in the parking area.

Officers arriving at the scene encountered the suspect being held by security guards. Police said the man briefly resisted before being taken into custody. Investigators later identified him as Michael Bowers.

Investigators link the shooting to a dispute inside the club

Police said the shooting began after an argument involving Bowers and his former girlfriend. Investigators said Bowers became upset after seeing her inside the club speaking with another man. Police said he left, returned with a handgun, and fired at a vehicle associated with the former girlfriend in the parking lot. A second nearby vehicle was also struck by gunfire.

• Location: 1271 Marietta Blvd. NW, northwest Atlanta
• Time reported: about 3:23 a.m., Jan. 17, 2026
• Injuries: none reported
• Evidence recovered: four shell casings reported at the scene

The body-camera footage documents a rapidly evolving response: an officer hears gunfire, pivots from a traffic stop, and is directed by security toward a detained suspect.

Charges filed include illegal gun possession and property damage

Police said Bowers is a convicted felon, which would make it unlawful for him to possess a firearm. Investigators listed multiple charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of criminal property damage, discharging a gun near a roadway, reckless conduct, and felony obstruction.

Authorities said Bowers was transported to the Grady Detention Center and later booked into the Fulton County Jail.

What remains unknown

Police have not released information indicating how many rounds were fired, whether the firearm used in the incident was recovered by officers, or the extent of damage to the vehicles. The identities of the vehicle owners were not released. The case remains subject to further court proceedings, and the filed charges may be updated as prosecutors review evidence.