Officer killed, suspect dead after shooting near Emory University, CDC

David Rose, 33, a father of two with a third on the way, was the DeKalb County police officer killed while responding to reports of a shooter in Atlanta today, the police department said.

He had been with the police department since September. DeKalb County said he joined the police academy at that time and graduated in March.

Dekalb County Police Officer David Rose.  DeKalb County Police Department

“He was committed to serving the community,” Interim Police Chief Greg Padrick said in a statement. “At this time we’re asking for the community’s prayers for his family, his friends, his loved ones and the entire DeKalb County Police Department family.”

"Pray for the family, friends, and colleagues of this hero who acted quickly to defend others and made the ultimate sacrifice," FBI Director Kash Patel said on X.

He said the agency is ready to offer full support in Georgia.

The director of the CDC said the suspect in today’s shooting opened fire on at least four buildings at its Roybal campus in Atlanta, and termed the gunfire an attack.

A police officer was killed in the gunfire that erupted just before 5 p.m. and the gunman is dead, officials said. Police have said that the suspect's rounds struck buildings at the CDC campus.

“We at CDC are heartbroken by today’s attack on our Roybal Campus, which remains on lockdown as authorities investigate the shooting,” CDC Director Susan Monarez said in a statement.

“A courageous local law enforcement officer gave their life, and another was injured, after a gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings,” she said.

“DeKalb County police, CDC security, and Emory University responded immediately and decisively, helping to prevent further harm to our staff and community," she said.

She said the CDC is coordinating with law enforcement in the investigation, and thanked Gov. Brian Kemp, "Georgia residents, and the American people for standing with us during this difficult time.”

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said “today is a very dark day” as she mourned the loss of a county police officer who was shot and killed as he responded to an active shooter call near the CDC.

“This evening there is a wife without a husband,” Cochran-Johnson said. “There are three children, one unborn, without a father.”

"There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings, who also share in this traumatic loss," she said.

Officer injured in Emory University shooting has died

04:49

The officer who was injured in the shooting on Emory University's campus in Atlanta is dead, Interim Chief Greg Padrick of DeKalb County Police Department said.

He died of his injuries from a gunshot wound, Padrick said.

"He was committed to serving the community. At this time we are asking for the community's prayers," Padrick said. "It's a noble profession we all do. We answer the call to serve our community and he gave his life to a commitment to serve others."

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said he was "critically injured" when officers arrived on scene.

Officials earlier said the officer was taken to the university hospital for treatment.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe into the shooting in Atlanta today, officials said.

Asked if it was believed that the shooter targeted the CDC, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the investigation is in the preliminary stages.

“He is a known person that may have some interests in certain things, that I can’t reiterate right know with any confidence until the investigation is fully conducted,” Dickens said.

“But I think in short order you’ll know more about this individual and some assumptions about his motives, but I can’t say right now,” he said.

Bullets hit buildings at the CDC campus, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said, and investigators are looking at whether those rounds were fired purposefully.

“Multiple rounds were fired, both we believe at law enforcement and potentially at the CDC,” Schierbaum said.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said 911 calls about an active shooter came in around 4:50 p.m. for 1600 Clifton Road, immediately in front of the CDC campus.

When officers responded to the scene, Schierbaum said they found the critically injured DeKalb County officer. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he remains.

Schierbaum said officers heard gunfire inside a CVS at the intersection, and went inside the building to try to locate the shooter.

The suspect was found on the second floor of the building that housed the CVS. Schierbaum said he had been hit by gunfire, but that officers are not sure if the wounds were self-inflicted or from police fire.

He died at the scene, Schierbaum said.

Schierbaum said the CDC campus "did receive multiple rounds into their buildings" but officials were not aware of any injuries that occurred there.

Four other people took themselves to the hospital where they were treated for stress and anxiety symptoms, Schierbaum said.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said that gun violence like the kind near the CDC and Emory University campus shows there needs to be a national conversation about gun violence.

“Mass shootings, active shooter scenarios should not become the norm,” Dickens said.

“We have a number of individuals in this country that have access to high-powered weapons,” he said.

“And for individuals with these high-powered weapons that may have mental challenges, or those individuals with high powered weapons and are angry when they choose to use those weapons in a way that harms multiple people — we have to put an end to that in our society,” he said.

Today’s shooting comes two days after a soldier at Fort Stewart, also in Georgia, shot five other soldiers.

The DeKalb County officer who was shot today was critically injured, officials said.

He was shot while responding to a call of an active shooter, a spokesperson from the county said.

Officials said he was taken to the hospital for treatment.

There were 92 children at a day care on the CDC campus in Atlanta when a shooting took place nearby, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.

No civilians were shot in the incident. The children are safe, Dickens said.

A DeKalb County officer was shot. The gunman is dead.

Officials were coordinating the return of the children at the day care to their families.

Multiple rounds struck CDC buildings during today’s shooting near the health agency’s Atlanta campus, police said.

“The CDC campus did receive multiple rounds into their buildings,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.

A police officer was shot and the gunman is dead, police said.

Broken glass at the CDC headquarters after gunfire nearby in Atlanta, on Friday.  Obtained by NBC News

Broken glass at the CDC headquarters after gunfire nearby in Atlanta, on Friday.  Obtained by NBC News

The suspect died of gunshot wounds, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference.

He said officers found the suspect with gunshot wounds after the shooting unfolded and that he succumbed to those injuries at the scene.

It was not clear whether the suspect's injuries were self-inflicted or from responding officers.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said there were no civilian casualties today.

One officer was injured. Dickens said an update on the officer's condition is forthcoming.

The CDC campus near Emory University remains on lockdown this evening, according to an email sent from the CDC that was shared with NBC News.

“Emory University has given the all-clear but please remain in place until local law enforcement instructs you to do so,” the email said. 

Pharmacy chain CVS said that no one inside the store was hurt in the shooting that occurred near its Emory Point location.

"We’re cooperating with the Atlanta Police Department as it investigates a shooting near our Emory Point store. All colleagues, customers and patients are safe. The store is currently closed and will reopen when the scene is cleared," a spokesperson for CVS said.

Emergency vehicles line up near Emory University and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta on Friday. Mike Stewart / AP

The situation in Atlanta is contained and there is no active threat to the public, a DeKalb County official said.

Residents of the county should remain indoors as a precaution as officials investigate the incident. The investigation is ongoing and active, the official said.

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the CEO of the county, said her thoughts and prayers are with those affected by today's event and she's grateful for the quick law enforcement response.

"I urge everyone to stay alert, remain indoors, and follow official guidance as we allow law enforcement to complete their investigation," Cochran-Johnson said.

A suspect in the active shooter situation on Emory University's Atlanta campus is dead, according to the Atlanta Police Department.

Police said there was a single shooter who is now dead, and there is no further threat to the campus or surrounding area.

One law enforcement officer was injured in the "course of the response," police said. It was not clear whether the officer was shot or what injuries they sustained.

Shooting suspect dead, lockdown lifted on Emory campus in Atlanta

02:36

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., says he is praying for the injured officer and for everyone at Emory University in Atlanta.

“I’m monitoring the active shooter incident at Emory closely. I’m praying for the officer who was injured, and all students and faculty,” Warnock wrote on X.

“I am devastated that our community is facing yet another tragedy of gun violence,” he wrote.

Emory University said on X moments ago that the shelter-in-place order has been lifted.

"Emory Emergency: A police emergency continues on the Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point. Avoid the area. Shelter in place has been lifted," it said on X.

Emory University is a liberal arts research university in Atlanta near the headquarters of the CDC.

Students and staff at Emory University, which has enrollment of 5,727, were told this afternoon, “Emory Emergency: Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.”

The CDC sent an email to staff advising them to take shelter, according to a copy of an email shared with NBC News.

A worker at Emory said a university phone app alerted him that there was an incident on campus and that he needed to take action.

“It was saying there was an active shooter and that we needed to, you know, hide. Find somewhere safe,” the university employee told NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta in a phone interview.

“Immediately, I just go into the nearest building I can,” he said.

The university employee didn’t hear any gunshots but heard helicopters and the massive police response.

“I’m just trying to be safe, you know, while I’m out here. Because it’s a lot going on — I have co-workers that don’t really want to be here anymore, they want to go home, they don’t feel safe,” he said. “So, it’s just a lot.”

"Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on X.

He thanked the "brave first responders" who "rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are."

"We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center," he said.

An active-duty soldier opened fire at an Army post in Georgia on Wednesday, injuring five service members before he was subdued by witnesses and taken into custody, a military official said.

A source shared with NBC News a copy of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention email to staff advising them to immediately take shelter with the active shooter situation reported near the CDC's campus.

The campus is on lockdown, the email said.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said his office is "horrified" by the active shooter situation on or near Emory's campus and said they are "praying for the safety of the entire campus community."

"We stand ready to assist our law enforcement partners with whatever they may need," Carr added.

The FBI is sending agents to assist local law enforcement with the shooting at or near Emory University, spokesperson said.

Officer injured in reported shooting near Emory University in Atlanta

02:55

A DeKalb County officer was injured and was en route to Emory University Hospital shortly after the shooting, DeKalb County communications director Dionna Smith said.

Additional details about how the officer was injured, the nature of the officer's injuries and condition were not immediately available.

In a new post on X, Emory's Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response instructed people on campus to shelter in place.

The Atlanta Police Department is on the scene investigating an active shooter, police said in a statement.

Information is still being collected as the incident is still unfolding, police said.

A dispatcher at Emory's Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR) said they didn't have any information to provide at this time as the situation is still active.

Emory is just minutes away from the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Additional information about the situation, including whether either location was targeted, was not immediately clear.

Emory University's Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response said in a social media alert that there was an active shooter on its Atlanta campus near the Emory Point CVS.

"RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area," the alert said.