ATLANTA, GA – A deadly shooting near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta on Friday, Aug. 8, left a law enforcement officer dead and the suspect later found dead from gunshot wounds.
The incident began around 4:50 p.m. when Atlanta Police received 911 calls reporting an active shooter near 1600 Clifton Road, close to the CDC campus. The shooter, reportedly wearing a surgical mask and ear protection, was armed with two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun.
Responding officers discovered DeKalb County Officer David Rose, 33, critically injured at the scene. Despite efforts to save him, Officer Rose was pronounced dead. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children, according to DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, who expressed the community’s heartbreak: “This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father.”
As officers entered a nearby CVS building where gunfire had been heard, they found the suspect on the second floor. The suspect had been struck by gunfire, though it was unclear whether the wounds were self-inflicted or caused by police. The suspect died at the scene, but authorities have not yet identified him publicly.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed that multiple rounds had been fired into CDC buildings, but there were no known injuries there. Fortunately, the 92 children at the CDC’s daycare center were unharmed. Schierbaum also stated that the situation was contained by 6:30 p.m.
While the investigation is ongoing, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens noted that authorities are still gathering information about the suspect’s motives, suggesting that the shooter may have had health-related concerns, possibly linked to the COVID-19 vaccine.
No civilians were injured during the incident, though four individuals were taken to the hospital for stress and anxiety symptoms.
The tragic event follows another violent incident at Fort Stewart, GA, on Thursday, Aug. 7, where five U.S. soldiers were wounded. In response to the two incidents, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a statement on X, condemning the attacks and praising first responders for their bravery.
“This week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians,” Kemp wrote, acknowledging the vital role of law enforcement in preventing further harm. “Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives.”
