Shooting suspect Mark Barton of Morrow, Georgia VIDEO Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell gives details on shooting (From CNN affiliates WXIA and WSB) Windows Media 28K 80K CEO of All-Tech Investment Group, Harvey Houtkin, talks about the Atlanta shootings Windows Media 28K 80K RELATED AUDIO: Charles Carter, who works at Two Security Center, describes what he saw 370K/31 sec. AIFF or WAV sound A witness who works on the third floor where the shootings occurred 156K/15 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Another witness talks about being caught up in the pandemonium 228K/21 sec. AIFF or WAV sound MESSAGE BOARDS: Message Board INTERACTIVE: Images of the Atlanta Shootings

July 29, 1999
Web posted at: 7:47 p.m. EDT (2347 GMT)

ATLANTA (CNN) -- A massive manhunt is under way for a disgruntled stock day trader who allegedly went on a shooting rampage at two Atlanta brokerage offices Thursday afternoon, killing nine people and injuring 12 others.

Several hours later, the bodies of three people believed to be the wife and two children of the suspect, Mark O. Barton, 44, were found in a house in Stockbridge, a suburb southeast of Atlanta, Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell said.

Campbell said authorities believe the shootings in Stockbridge preceded the shootings in Atlanta and may have taken place several days ago. He said the slayings are believed to be linked.

Police were searching the office buildings where the shootings took place floor by floor, looking for Barton or any office workers who may be hiding inside. Barton's home in Morrow, a suburb south of Atlanta, has been surrounded by police.

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"We have no idea where Mr. Barton is at this time," Campbell said.

The shootings began about 3 p.m. at a day-trading firm at 3500 Piedmont Road, in the heart of the upscale Buckhead business district, killing four people. Campbell said Barton then went across the street to the building at 3522 Piedmont Road and killed five more people.

The mayor said a 9 mm handgun and a .45-caliber handgun were used in the shootings.

Campbell said Barton is a former chemist who went into day trading stock and was concerned about financial losses. Witnesses reported that Barton came into one of the trading offices where he once worked, had a brief conversation with the people inside noting that the stock market was down and then began shooting, Campbell said.

The rampage was the worst mass shooting in Atlanta's history. It came just two weeks after seven members of an extended family died in a murder-suicide in the city.

"We ask all of the people of Atlanta to pray for the families of those who have been killed and wounded," Campbell said.

Of the 12 people who were injured, seven were shot and five others were injured trying to escape, Campbell said.

Seven victims -- six men and one woman -- were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. Three were in critical condition, while four were in serious condition. Two other victims were taken to St. Joseph's Hospital, where they were reported in critical condition. A spokeswoman for Northside Hospital said two victims were also being treated there.

Harvey Houtkin, chairman and chief executive officer of All- Tech Investment Group, speaking to CNN from the company's New Jersey headquarters, said the gunman, whom he described as a former customer, entered the Atlanta branch office and shot the office manager and secretary at point-blank range.

The gunman then began firing on anyone inside the office before moving outside, Houtkin said.

"He was shooting anyone just sitting there," said Houtkin, who has been in touch with the branch office. "My emotions are so crazy right now I don't know what to say ... For something like this to happen is just crazy."

Workers at several office buildings in the area were evacuated in buses, while others were advised to stay put and take precautions.

As the afternoon progressed, more workers could be seen coming out of the building in groups. Police were searching the trunks of cars leaving the area.

Correspondents Daryn Kagan and Brian Cabell contributed to this report.

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