ATLANTA – Atlanta police say nearly 500 teenagers caused a massive disturbance at Atlantic Station Saturday night, launching fireworks into crowds and eventually drawing real gunfire outside the district.

Atlantic Station chaos

The backstory:

Atlanta police originally responded to the shopping center after 7 p.m. following reports of shots fired. While investigators quickly determined the sounds were actually fireworks being ignited by a large crowd of “unruly” juveniles, the situation turned more dangerous as the crowd was dispersed.

“It can escalate from firecrackers to now its guns to life being taken. That’s something we don’t want,” said John Williams, who was visiting the area.

As officers cleared the mall, a group of teenagers allegedly began firing actual guns near Spring Street NW and 17th Street. 

Shooting outside Atlantic Station

What they’re saying:

The gunfire sent patrons at Nan Thai Fine Dining ducking for cover.

“Definitely about 30 shots,” said Jedi Niyomkul, the restaurant’s general manager. “I’m making sure everyone is on the ground because we do have a lot of glass.”

Niyomkul said the restaurant was hit by at least one bullet. He expressed frustration that the crowd was pushed out of the mall but not adequately monitored once they crossed into the surrounding city streets.

“Once they got them across the bridge, there was no patrol over on this side to make sure that they dispersed,” Niyomkul said. “Literally at 17th and Spring, right there, 100 to 150 kids just sitting all around the corner, doing absolutely nothing, just looking for trouble.”

Atlantic Station curfew

Dig deeper:

The disturbance occurred despite Atlantic Station’s strict codes of conduct. The district enforces a 3 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18, requiring them to be with a parent or guardian. Additionally, no one under 21 is allowed on the property after 9 p.m.

Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond said the city must find a more consistent way to manage large groups of youth.

“We again manage this population policy-wise, more than any other segment than our society, so we all got to step up year-round in how we manage that population,” Bond said.

Families and communities across metro Atlanta are coming together to celebrate Kwanzaa, a weeklong observance honoring African heritage, culture, and values.

Each night of Kwanzaa centers on a different principle. The first night focuses on Umoja, the Swahili word for unity — a value many say feels especially meaningful right now.

For Atlanta artist and poet Kenneth “Zakee” Zakee, Kwanzaa is more than a holiday. He says it transformed his life.

Zakee welcomed CBS News Atlanta inside his studio, where African and African American artwork lines the walls. As he lit the kinara — the candleholder central to Kwanzaa — he explained the deeper meaning behind the tradition.

“Kwanzaa means first fruits of the harvest,” Zakee said. “So we have to have some produce on the table to represent the first fruit, to represent harvest.”

Zakee says his connection to Kwanzaa began during a time of deep grief, after losing his mother. A friend invited him to a Kwanzaa celebration for emotional support — an experience he says gave him community when he needed it most.

“It was just so much love,” Zakee said. “It was like a seven-day Black history experience.”

Created in the 1960s to reconnect Black Americans with African heritage, Kwanzaa’s values, customs, and greetings are expressed in Swahili. Zakee even gave CBS News Atlanta a quick lesson in how to greet others on the first night.

“Habari gani?” he asked — meaning, What’s the news?

“Umoja,” came the response.

That sense of shared meaning was also on display as vendors and artists set up for Kwanzaa events at ArtsXchange.

Patricia Jackson of Studio P Designs, a former educator, says teaching students about Kwanzaa was always important to her.

“We really made an effort to expose our students to all of the other celebrations, especially Kwanzaa and what it stands for,” Jackson said.

For Zakee, passing the tradition on to younger generations is essential. He hopes Kwanzaa helps young people feel grounded, affirmed, and connected.

“A sense of belonging,” he said. “A sense of being part of something bigger than themselves — and recognizing the strength of their people.”

Zakee believes those values don’t just strengthen communities — they make the world a better place.

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A large police scene has shut down Spring Street in Midtown.

This all started around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Police haven’t released any details, but there is glass all along the sidewalk.

Earlier Saturday, police responded to Atlantic Station after teens set off fireworks. It is unclear if the two scenes are related.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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