On July 29, 1999, Atlanta, Georgia, was the site of a devastating shooting spree that left a deep scar on the community. Mark Orrin Barton, a former day trader, embarked on a violent rampage at two day trading firms, Momentum Securities and the All-Tech Investment Group, resulting in the deaths of nine people and injuries to thirteen others. This tragic event was compounded by the discovery of Barton's family members, who had been murdered days earlier.
The motive behind these horrific acts was believed to be Barton's financial ruin, which had led to his mental deterioration.
The Day of the Shootings
On the morning of July 29, 1999, Mark Barton arrived at Momentum Securities in Atlanta, where he had previously worked. Witnesses reported that Barton engaged in casual conversation with coworkers before suddenly drawing two pistols and opening fire. In a matter of moments, he shot and killed four people and severely injured others, including Brad Schoemehl, who was shot three times at close range.
After leaving Momentum Securities, Barton proceeded to the nearby All-Tech Investment Group building. There, he lured his former bosses, Brent Doonan and Scott Manspeaker, along with assistant Kathy Camp, into a private room under the pretense of showing them something important. Barton then opened fire, wounding all three individuals. Tragically, Doonan was shot five times, and Camp was left blind. Barton continued his rampage, killing five more victims before fleeing the scene.
The Aftermath and Discovery
Following the shootings, law enforcement quickly launched an intense manhunt for Barton. Meanwhile, police searched his home in Stockbridge, Georgia, where they discovered the bodies of his second wife, Leigh Ann Vandiver, and his two children from his first marriage, Matthew and Mychelle. Barton had murdered them with hammer blows before embarking on his shooting spree. Notes left at the scene revealed Barton's troubled state of mind and his belief that financial ruin had led to his demise.
The manhunt for Barton ended four hours after the All-Tech Investment Group shooting. Barton was spotted in his minivan in Kennesaw, Georgia, and a chase ensued. The pursuit culminated at a gas station in Acworth, Georgia, where Barton took his own life before law enforcement could apprehend him.
The Motive Behind the Violence
The motive behind Barton's actions was believed to be his financial ruin. In the months leading up to the shootings, Barton had suffered significant financial losses, totaling $105,000, and his account with Momentum Securities had been canceled. These losses, coupled with his deteriorating mental health, including severe depression and paranoid delusions, likely contributed to his decision to commit such heinous acts.
Barton's tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that financial stress and mental health issues can have on individuals and their communities. The 1999 Atlanta day trading firm shootings remain a somber chapter in the history of Atlanta, Georgia, and continue to be a poignant example of the consequences of unchecked mental health struggles and financial pressures.
