Shooting suspect walks out of police custody

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) - A shooting suspect who broke out of leg shackles and walked out of Atlanta Police custody told reporters that he "picked the lock" to escape.

Police recaptured the suspect Thursday, hours after his escape, according to a news release.

Surveillance footage from outside a police department elevator shows the suspect, wearing a short-sleeved red polo shirt and blue jeans with a rip running from above the knee to the ankle, waiting alone for the elevator. He then entered the empty elevator, video shows, went down some floors and fled, Atlanta Police spokesman Officer E. Schwartz said.

When asked by reporters if he "just walked out," the suspect confirmed with a nod of the head.

Police had the suspect in leg shackles before he fled, Schwartz told CNN, and police are still investigating how he managed to undue the restraints. Police would not release the name of the escapee.