A tragic incident unfolded on Friday outside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, where a police officer succumbed to injuries sustained while responding to an active shooter situation. The officer, identified as 33-year-old David Rose, was a father of two, with a third child expected. Reports indicate that he was shot while attempting to neutralize a "single shooter," who is also deceased.
In a harrowing twist, preliminary investigations suggest that the alleged gunman might have believed he was suffering from ailments related to a coronavirus vaccine. It is reported that the shooter’s father alerted law enforcement about his son’s suicidal tendencies on the same day of the tragic event.
CDC Director Susan Monarez expressed her deep sorrow over the loss of Officer Rose, acknowledging his bravery in a statement shared on social media. She commended the immediate response of local law enforcement, DeKalb County police, and CDC security in averting further harm to the community.
The chaotic scene unfolded at approximately 4:50 PM local time, leading to a swift response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including federal partners. Emory University sent an urgent alert advising individuals to "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT," highlighting the seriousness of the threat. Gunfire was reported to have hit several CDC buildings, raising alarms in the area.
Authorities located the assailant in a CVS pharmacy near the CDC campus, where he was reportedly found wounded, although details regarding whether injuries were a result of self-infliction or law enforcement intervention remain unclear.
A shelter-in-place order was lifted about 90 minutes after the event, and officials have assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the CDC campus or the surrounding neighborhoods. Following the incident, CDC employees have been instructed to work remotely for the coming days as investigations proceed.
