In an unexpected round of lunch-time chaos, a gunman opened fire at Peachtree Center's food court in downtown Atlanta. Evidently, neither patrons nor the suspect were there for the daily specials but for something far less appetizing.

The shooting occurred around 2:15 p.m., turning an otherwise mundane meal service into a much more dramatic experience. The gunman, identified as a 34-year-old man from Morrow, managed to shoot three people before being shot by an off-duty Atlanta police officer moonlighting as security. Clearly, this wasn't the kind of "security breach" the food court's management had in mind (NBC).

Despite the flurry of bullets, all four people involved, including the suspect, are expected to survive. Among the victims were a 47-year-old man from Grayson, a 69-year-old woman from East Point, and a 70-year-old woman from Atlanta. The suspect, after his altercation with one of the victims, decided that a felony on his lunch break was a fabulous idea (NBC, USA Today).

In an almost predictable turn of events, it was revealed that the gunman had a prior felony conviction and should have been practicing a strict no-gun diet. But, old habits die hard, especially when there's a track record involving multiple arrests and prison time for armed robbery (NBC).

The situation could have been far worse if it weren't for the quick actions of the off-duty officer who neutralized the suspect, a sentiment echoed by Mayor Andre Dickens who praised the officer for his preventative measures. It's not every day that a lunch shift doubles as a real-life crime thriller (NBC).

Following the incident, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation swooped in to look into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Meanwhile, police blocked off several blocks of Peachtree Street, turning it into a scene more suited for a film set rather than a bustling downtown area (NBC).

Crowds of people gathered at a nearby intersection, swapping stories and asking each other what had transpired—as if a mass message with detailed updates wasn't enough (NBC). One of the witnesses, Elizabeth Ingram, an employee at the local Chick-fil-A, described the experience as very scary. Perhaps not as comforting as an extra order of waffle fries, but it'll have to do for now (NBC).

In the wake of the incident, the Mayor and police advised people to avoid the area, stating that the scene was still active. An excellent reminder that sometimes, it's better to eat at home—especially if the food court turns into a scene from an action movie (USA Today).

And so, as Atlanta recovers from its unexpected afternoon drama, the rest of us are left pondering whether this notorious food court will have to add "unexpected gunfire" to its list of daily specials. Let's hope not.