Atlanta Shooting Near CDC Buildings Claims Life of Officer; Investigation Underway

A tragic incident unfolded near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) buildings in Atlanta, where a police officer was fatally shot while responding to a shooting that damaged windows across multiple CDC facilities. The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, was described by DeKalb County interim police chief Greg Padrick as a dedicated public servant who gave his life in service to others.

The shooting took place at the Emory Point complex, a mixed-use development adjacent to Emory University and directly across from the CDC campus. The suspect was found on the second floor of the building above a CVS drugstore, where he died at the scene. Authorities are still investigating whether the gunfire that struck him was from law enforcement or self-inflicted.

According to officials, the officer was responding to a call about an ongoing incident when he was shot. No civilians were reported to have been injured in the shooting, though windows on several CDC buildings were damaged. The incident has raised concerns about the security of the CDC campus, which remains locked down as of Friday evening.

CDC Director Susan Monarez, who had only recently taken up her position, said in a social media statement that the shooter had opened fire on at least four CDC buildings. One of these, Building 24, is home to the director’s office on the 12th floor. Monarez was not on campus at the time, having left earlier in the day.

The incident was first reported around 4:50 p.m. local time, with at least 25 shots heard in the area. A CDC employee on the 12th floor of Building 24 described hearing rapid-fire shots, initially mistaking them for construction noise before the building was locked down. The employee described seeing a person in a red shirt directing traffic away from the scene, calling them a 'hero.'

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his condolences to the officer’s family and called for prayers for those affected by the incident. He also condemned the actions of the suspect, describing them as targeting 'deranged criminals' in an incident that occurred within a week of another shooting at Fort Stewart.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said his office was 'horrified' by the news and pledged support for law enforcement during the investigation. The FBI’s Atlanta office confirmed it was aware of the shooting and was coordinating with local authorities.

As the investigation continues, the community is left to grapple with the loss of a dedicated officer and the unsettling reality of such violence occurring near a critical public health institution.