A police officer was killed after authorities say an active shooter opened fire near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters and Emory University’s Atlanta campus on Friday afternoon.
A DeKalb County Police officer, who officials have not yet identified, was taken to a local hospital after the shooting, where he was in critical condition and later pronounced dead, officials said in a press conference Friday evening.
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, DeKalb County CEO, said it was a “dark day” for the county. The officer leaves behind a wife, who is pregnant, and two children, she said.
The Atlanta Police Department said the suspect in the shooting was found dead from a gunshot wound, which may have been self-inflicted. No civilians were shot in the incident, police said.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said during an earlier press conference that the suspect shot multiple rounds at the CDC building, breaking windows.
Law enforcement at the scene or a reported shooting at Emory University’s Atlanta campus in Atlanta, Aug. 8, 2025.
WSB-TV
There were 92 children at a day care center on the CDC campus at the time, who were unharmed, police added.
The gunfire was reported at 4:50 p.m.
Responding DeKalb County police officers located the suspect on the second floor of the Emory Point CVS Pharmacy across the street from the CDC building and attempted to engage the person when gunfire was exchanged, police said.
Four other people were transported to an area hospital for stress and anxiety-related reasons, the police chief said.
Shortly after the shooting was reported, a shelter-in-place order was put in place on the Emory University campus and later lifted. “RUN. HIDE. FIGHT. Avoid the area,” the university said in an alert Friday afternoon.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters sign is seen behind a police line in Atlanta, Aug. 8, 2025.
Jeff Amy/AP
CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez shared a statement on X on Friday night, saying she and the agency as a whole are “heartbroken by today’s attack on our Roybal Campus, which remains on lockdown as authorities investigate the shooting.”
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC,” Monarez continued. “We are actively coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to fully investigate the shooter and this tragic crime.”
In an email to CDC staff, obtained by ABC News, Monarez encourageed employees to “prioritize your well-being, seek support, and reach out for assistance as needed.”
Monday will be a remote workday for all CDC employees, according to the email.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp released a statement on X thanking first responders for rushing “toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives.”
“We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center,” Kemp wrote.
FBI Atlanta and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.
Emergency vehicles line up near Emory University and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, Aug. 8, 2025.
Jeff Amy/AP
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr released a statement Friday, saying, “We’re horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community.”
The White House was monitoring the situation, an official told ABC News.
ABC News’ Pierre Thomas, Luke Barr and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
