What was supposed to be an ordinary Friday afternoon near the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta turned into chaos. Shots rang out.
Sirens blared. And now, a community is mourning the loss of one of its own — Officer David Rose.
Police say Rose was responding to reports of a shooter outside the CDC’s headquarters, near Emory University.
The suspect? A lone gunman, now dead. No civilians were hurt, but the damage to the community’s sense of safety is immeasurable.
Around 4:50 p.m., calls flooded in: “Active shooter at Emory Point CVS!” Emory University blasted out an urgent message: Run. Hide. Fight.
Within minutes, officers from multiple agencies swarmed the area. Gunfire had already ripped through CDC buildings.
By the time police found the shooter, he’d been hit by gunfire. It’s still unclear whether he was shot by officers or turned the weapon on himself.
What Was The Motive?
Still murky. US media, citing law enforcement sources, suggest the suspect believed he had been harmed by a COVID-19 vaccine.
Reports also say his father had called police earlier that day, fearing his son was suicidal.
CDC Director Susan Monarez called the incident “heartbreaking.”
She praised the rapid response of law enforcement and security teams for preventing further harm.
In a rare move, CDC employees have been told to work remotely on Monday. Safety, for now, comes before everything else.
It’s a grim reminder that violence can strike anywhere — even in places dedicated to saving lives.
