ATLANTA, Ga. — A tragic shooting erupted Friday outside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, leaving a police officer and the suspected gunman dead, authorities confirmed.
The gunfire shattered the quiet of the CDC’s sprawling campus, striking the windows of at least four buildings, according to CDC Director Susan Monarez. Images shared by staff showed bullet-pocked glass across the complex, a hub where thousands of scientists work on critical disease research.
The incident began near neighboring Emory University, prompting an immediate lockdown and a large law enforcement response. No CDC employees or visitors were injured, officials said.
DeKalb County Police identified the fallen officer as David Rose, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and March graduate of the DeKalb Police Academy. “This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father,” said DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, expressing the community’s grief.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the suspect, armed with a long gun and multiple other firearms, was found dead in a building across the street from the CDC campus. Investigators have not yet determined whether his fatal injury was self-inflicted or the result of police gunfire. The shooter’s motive remains unknown.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene. Staff at The General Muir restaurant nearby took cover after hearing rapid gunfire. “It sounded like fireworks going off, one right after the other,” said Brandy Giraldo, the restaurant’s chief operating officer. Parents rushed to secure their children from nearby schools, with some temporarily unable to reach them due to police activity.
Governor Brian Kemp praised first responders, calling their actions heroic. “Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians. Each time, brave first responders rushed toward danger to subdue the shooter and save lives,” Kemp said.
The CDC will operate remotely on Monday as security assessments are conducted. Monarez called the incident an “attack on our Roybal Campus” and expressed condolences to Officer Rose’s family, saying, “We are eternally grateful to law enforcement personnel who acted swiftly in the face of danger.”
The investigation is ongoing.