The city of Atlanta just went through a terrifying ordeal that has left the community shaken and a hero fallen. What started as a typical Friday afternoon quickly turned into chaos when gunfire erupted near the Emory University campus—right by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What unfolded is almost unreal—like something from a movie—but the effects were undeniably serious.
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Active Shooter Shakes Emory University Campus
According to reports, it all went down around 4:50 p.m. near the 1600 block of Clifton Road. Law enforcement responded to an active shooter situation, and by the time it was all over, both a DeKalb County Police officer and the alleged shooter had been shot. Atlanta’s Police Chief, Darin Schierbaum, confirmed that the suspect, a lone gunman, is dead.
Sadly, sources later confirmed that the injured officer has also died from their wounds. Officers reportedly found the shooter on the second floor of a nearby CVS, where gunfire had been exchanged. Furthermore, according to Schierbaum, the shooter was killed by exchanged gunfire.
More Details On The Tragic Incident
To make matters worse, this all happened right across the street from the CDC—yes, the Center for Disease Control—and some of their windows were reportedly hit by bullets. Thankfully, no civilians were hurt. There were even dozens of children at a daycare on the CDC’s campus during the shooting, but officials confirmed they are safe and were reunited with their families. Emory University issued a chilling alert telling people to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT,” and multiple agencies including the FBI swooped in.
Emory Emergency: Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area. Shelter in place.
— Emory University (@EmoryUniversity) August 8, 2025
Emory employee Chris Weaver shared with 11Alive that he heard the shots and was “stunned,” but ultimately felt safe thanks to the overwhelming police presence. Additionally, police are investigating the theory that the shooter, who allegedly targeted the CDC, was either actually ill or believed he was sick and blamed his condition on COVID. And, an anonymous bystander told CNN, “He raised the rifle… at an angle and started firing at the CDC’s campus,” and heard about “6 or 7 shots.”
What Officials Have Said So Far
According to DeKalb County CEO, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the deceased officer leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children.
“This evening, there is a wife without a husband. 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,” Cochran-Johnson revealed.
Additionally, Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens, spoke to reporters on the incident, revealing:
“Right now, it’s so preliminary. I read social media and I get calls from a number of you that have heard things about this individual’s background. He’s a white male. He is a known person that may have some interest in certain things that I can’t reiterate right now with any confidence until the investigation is fully conducted.”
