But several online groups, including one dubbed 'Defending Stone Mountain,' that vowed to march in the park anyway, gathered in downtown Stone Mountain armed with rifles and military gear. Meanwhile, hundreds of counter-protesters, many of whom wore shirts or carried signs expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, descended on the march. Chaos unfolded in the city, just as officials had feared, as the rival groups faced off with each other for hours. People on both sides were seen carrying rifles. Members of right-wing groups proudly waving their Confederate flags were seen coming face to face with anti-racism and anti-fascist activists. For several hours, there was little visible police presence and things were largely peaceful, aside from some shoving and pushing and spirited arguments. But just before 1pm, tensions between the rival groups reached a boiling point, as brawls broke out among the crowd.

Atlanta police say former four-time Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl linebacker Chip Banks is in serious condition following a shooting. Atlanta police spokeswoman Marla Rooker said in an email to The Associated Press officers found three men with apparent gunshot wounds when responding to a shooting in Atlanta just before 1 p.m. Wednesday. One of the victims, Charles Pharms Jr., was declared dead at the scene, according to Rooker. Banks and the third man were alert and transported to a local hospital. The shooting was first reported by TMZ. Banks, 60, was in serious condition, according to Rooker. There was no update on the other victim, identified by Rooker as Bennie C. Harris. Rooker said the police investigation is ongoing.