ATLANTA, Ga. — A deadly shooting near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters on August 8, 2025, resulted in the deaths of a DeKalb County police officer and the suspected gunman. Authorities have confirmed that the immediate threat to the public has been neutralized, though the investigation is ongoing.
The suspect, whose identity has not been officially confirmed, reportedly approached a CDC building, placed a backpack on the ground, then produced a rifle and opened fire on the facility. A CDC employee immediately called 911 after hearing multiple gunshots.
The CDC campus, adjacent to Emory University, was placed on lockdown, along with parts of the university. Traffic cameras captured a heavy law enforcement presence responding swiftly to the scene.
DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, 33, who responded to the incident, sustained critical injuries while confronting the shooter. He was transported to Emory University Hospital but tragically died at 5:48 p.m. Officer Rose had joined the department in September 2024 and is survived by his wife, two children, and a third child expected soon. Public officials, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, expressed condolences and praised Rose’s dedicated service.
Preliminary information from family interviews suggests the suspect may have believed he was ill and blamed his condition on the COVID-19 vaccine.
The CDC issued an internal alert advising employees to shelter in place during the shooting. FBI agents are assisting local authorities with the investigation. While no civilians were reported injured, the CDC facility sustained gunfire damage. Authorities continue to investigate whether the CDC was the shooter’s intended target.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr condemned the violence and pledged full support for law enforcement, stating, “We are horrified by the active shooter situation on or near Emory’s campus and are praying for the safety of the entire campus community.”
The investigation remains active as officials collect evidence and interview witnesses to fully understand the motive and circumstances behind the attack.