In the early morning hours of September 10, 2025, Atlanta police responded to reports of a man with a gun in the lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown. The individual, later identified as 44-year-old Justin Lanier, had exited the building by the time officers arrived but remained on hotel property near the parking garage.
According to officials, Lanier was armed and did not comply with repeated commands to drop the weapon. When he moved his hand toward his side, one officer fired, striking him. Officers attempted to provide medical aid, but Lanier died at the scene. No officers were injured, and a handgun was recovered nearby.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), which is tasked with independently reviewing officer-involved shootings across the state, is now investigating the incident to determine whether use of force was legally and procedurally justified.
Key Questions About Police Response
While the initial facts of the case are not in dispute, Lanier was armed, failed to comply, and was shot, the nature of his final movements will be closely scrutinized. Did his hand gesture indicate an imminent threat, or was it ambiguous? How far was he from officers when he was shot? And were verbal commands given clearly and in a way that allowed for meaningful compliance?
Another key consideration is whether less-lethal alternatives were available or could have been used effectively. These are routine questions in any police shooting but are especially important in cases involving public settings like hotels, where civilian safety and officer decision-making must be carefully balanced.
The availability of body camera footage will be central in determining what happened in those critical seconds. As of now, police have not released any video or further details about the interaction.
Legal and Departmental Standards
Under Georgia law and national precedent, officers are permitted to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or serious injury. However, that standard leaves room for interpretation, especially in fast-moving situations.
Atlanta Police Department policies also encourage de-escalation and the use of non-lethal tactics when feasible. Whether these standards were followed in this case will be part of the GBI’s review. The results could have consequences not only for the involved officers but also for department training and policy development.
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A Broader Pattern
This encounter is part of a larger trend that has worried public safety officials across the country. In Atlanta, gun violence has been increasing over the past several years. According to the city’s own crime statistics, 2024 saw a significant rise in firearm-related incidents, with homicides and aggravated assaults involving guns both trending upward. That trend appears to be continuing into 2025.
National data reflect a similar pattern. While overall crime rates have declined in many areas, shootings have become more frequent and more deadly, particularly in urban centers.
What Comes Next
The GBI’s findings will be critical in shaping the next steps. If the shooting is deemed justified, it may reinforce existing use-of-force procedures within the department. If not, it could trigger disciplinary action or renewed calls for policy reform.
More broadly, this incident will likely feed into ongoing conversations in Atlanta, and the U.S., about how to balance officer safety, public accountability, and the use of force in unpredictable environments. As police departments face increased pressure to demonstrate transparency and restraint, what happens next in this case could set an important precedent.
