A tragic incident unfolded outside the headquarters of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located near Emory University, resulting in the death of a police officer. The Atlanta Police Department confirmed that the shooting occurred on Friday and involved a single shooter, who has since been reported dead.
The fallen officer has been identified as 33-year-old David Rose. He was a devoted father of two children, with a third on the way. Reports from the BBC's US partner, CBS News, indicate that Officer Rose was shot while responding to the incident and was subsequently transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Fortunately, there have been no reports of civilian injuries related to this tragic shooting, as confirmed by the Atlanta city mayor.
According to US media outlets, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, the alleged gunman may have believed he was suffering from health issues stemming from a coronavirus vaccine. Additionally, reports suggested that the shooter's father contacted law enforcement earlier that day, expressing concern that his son might be suicidal.
The Director of the CDC, Susan Monarez, expressed her grief over the attack, stating that the center was heartbroken by the loss of a courageous officer. In her post on social media platform X, she emphasized the bravery of local law enforcement, stating, "A courageous local law enforcement officer gave his life, and another was injured, after a gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings." Monarez also commended the swift and decisive response from DeKalb County police, CDC security, and Emory University, which helped avert further harm to staff and the surrounding community.
During a press briefing held on Friday, law enforcement officials detailed the timeline of the event. They reported that they received an alert about an active shooter at approximately 4:50 PM local time (9:50 PM BST) at an intersection directly in front of the CDC campus. Multiple agencies, including federal and state partners, quickly mobilized to respond to the situation.
In the wake of the shooting, Emory University issued an urgent message on social media, advising the community: "Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT." The police reported that multiple rounds of gunfire struck various buildings on the CDC campus. They subsequently located the shooter on the second floor of a CVS pharmacy at the intersection, though they could not confirm whether the injuries were inflicted by law enforcement or were self-inflicted.
Approximately an hour and a half after the shooting was reported, the shelter-in-place order was lifted. The police department reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat to the CDC campus or the surrounding neighborhood. In light of the tragic events, CDC employees have been advised to work remotely on the following Monday as a precaution.
This heartbreaking incident not only highlights the dangers faced by our law enforcement officers but also serves as a reminder of the importance of community safety and mental health awareness.
