In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Officer David Rose, who was a father of two with another child on the way, succumbed to his injuries after responding to a shooting outside the CDC, located near Emory University. The incident occurred on Friday and involved a single shooter, later confirmed deceased. Local authorities confirmed that there were no civilian injuries reported during the chaotic scene.
CDC Director Susan Monarez mourned Rose's loss, expressing the center's sorrow over the attack, which targeted at least four of its buildings. Reports suggest that the gunman had possibly believed he was suffering side effects from a coronavirus vaccine. According to sources, his father had contacted law enforcement prior to the shooting to express concern over his son's suicidal tendencies.
The Atlanta police were notified of an active shooter at approximately 4:50 PM local time, leading to a swift response from multiple agencies, including Emory University and CDC security teams. The situation escalated quickly as parts of the Atlanta campus initiated a lockdown, warning students and staff to "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT" as shots rang out in the vicinity of the CVS pharmacy located near the intersection.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as police arrived, eventually finding the shooter on the second floor of the pharmacy. However, it remains unclear whether the gunshot wound was inflicted by law enforcement officers or self-inflicted.
Voluntary shelter-in-place orders were lifted about an hour and a half after the situation began, with the police declaring there was no ongoing threat to the campus or nearby communities. Following the events, CDC employees have been recommended to work remotely on Monday, ensuring safety is prioritized amidst this shocking incident that has left the local community grieving and in shock.
