Shooting near CDC, Emory University: Suspect, DeKalb officer dead | Latest updates
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - A gunman at the Emory University Atlanta campus near the CDC was killed during a Friday shooting incident, according to law enforcement officials.
A DeKalb County police officer also died after he was ambushed responding to the shooting, according to the agency.
No civilians were injured, and the campus and surrounding areas have been given the all-clear.
FULL STORY: Suspected gunman and police officer dead in shooting near the CDC and Emory University, police say
The shooting was reported at Emory Point CVS.
Here’s what we know:
10:35 a.m. | In a letter to the community, Emory officials outlined what happened during the shooting and thanked law enforcement.
“We would like to express our overwhelming gratitude to the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and officers who responded to this call,” the letter said. “Their swift response enabled a well-coordinated, multi-agency team to confront a threat and keep our community safe.”
The letter also extended its sympathies to the CDC, which works closely with the school, and assured the public that safety is Emory’s top priority.
Click here to read the full letter.
10:30 a.m. | Emory’s Atlanta campus will have an increased police presence throughout the weekend, they said. Officers from the Emory Police Department and the Georgia Tech Police Department will be patrolling as an added safety measure.
10 a.m. | The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has identified the man accused of opening fire near Emory University and the CDC on Friday afternoon. Investigators said Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Kennesaw, was the suspect. He died in the shooting, although it’s unclear whether he was shot by officers or died by suicide.
8 a.m. | An alert was sent to Emory students stating that “The emergency for Emory University Atlanta Campus has been lifted. ALL CLEAR.”
7:30 a.m. | DeKalb County firefighters are seen lowering the flags to half-staff at police headquarters.
AUG. 8, 2025:
10:50 p.m. | The DeKalb officer killed in the shooting has been identified as 33-year-old David Rose. He had been with the department for 11 months and had previously been a jailer with Gwinnett County.
10:21 p.m. | In a statement, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said, “It is with heavy hearts that we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the DeKalb County police officer who lost his life in the line of duty today.”
Our thoughts and prayers remain with his loved ones during this painful time.
10:05 p.m. | Burt Buchtinec, Emory police chief, said the department and other law enforcement agencies are “still working to verify facts related to today’s active shooter incident at Emory Point, an apartment and retail complex adjacent to our Atlanta campus.”
Buchtinec said people are still being asked to avoid the area until an “all clear” is given.
9:45 p.m. | The CDC remains on lockdown, according to Director Susan Monarez.
“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC. We are actively coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to fully investigate the shooter and this tragic crime,” Monarez said in a social post.
We at @CDCgov are heartbroken by today’s attack on our Roybal Campus, which remains on lockdown as authorities investigate the shooting. A courageous local law enforcement officer gave their life, and another was injured, after a gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings.…
— CDC Director Susan Monarez (@CDCMonarez) August 9, 2025
9:10 p.m. | U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff said in a statement that the shooting has shaken the community.
“My office is in close contact with leadership at Emory University, the CDC, and local law enforcement and will continue to stand with our community to deliver support,” Ossoff said.
8:47 p.m. | Michael Thurmond, the former DeKalb County CEO, said the shooting was “another horrific instance of senseless gun violence that must not be tolerated in the state of Georgia.”
“This is another tragic reminder that our men and women in law enforcement bravely put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. We are praying for the officer’s family, and for all our brave first responders who continue to protect and serve in the face of this horrible tragedy,” Thurmond said.
8:40 p.m. | The officer killed in the shooting was a DeKalb County police officer, according to the agency. Police have not identified the officer. Cochran-Johnson said the officer was a husband and father of three.
8 p.m. | DeKalb County CEO Lorriane Cochran-Johnson and police are expected to give an update on the officer injured at 8:30 p.m.
7:54 p.m. | “The citizens of the Atlanta region should be proud of their law enforcement today,” Schierbaum said of the agencies that responded to the shooting.
7:48 p.m. | FBI officials said as of right now, the agency is not aware of any casualties on the Emory campus. Schierbaum said the shooter filed multiple rounds. Police did not confirm the CDC was the suspected target in the shooting. Dickens said the DeKalb County officer was shot and critically injured. A DeKalb County Police Department spokesperson confirmed one of their officers responded to the shooting and was injured. The spokesperson did not confirm if the officer was killed.
7:45 p.m. | Schierbaum said officers from multiple agencies responded. He said officers at one point could still hear gunshots inside the CVS. It is not known if the suspected shooter was killed by officer gunfire or if it was self-inflicted. Several rounds were fired into the CDC building. Schierbaum said law enforcement believes there was one shooter. Over 90 children were at a nearby daycare and there are efforts underway to reunite them with their families.
7:40 p.m. | Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum are giving updates on the shooting incident. Dickens said over the last few hours, he witnessed a “coordinated response” from law enforcement agencies responding to the shooting. Dickens said no other people were shot in the incident. Dickens said a DeKalb County police officer was shot and is at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dickens did not say the officer was killed.
7:29 p.m. | A law enforcement official told CNN that after speaking with the suspected shooter’s family members, police are investigating that the CDC was the suspected target. They are investigating the shooting as the suspected shooter was either sick or believed they were sick and blamed the illness on the COVID-19 vaccine, CNN reported. The shooter has not been identified.
6:53 p.m. | In a statement, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said he is grateful for the swift response of all law enforcement agencies who worked to secure the scene and protect the public.
6:52 p.m. | The Atlanta Police Department said there is no ongoing threat to the Emory campus or the surrounding neighborhood. Atlanta police said the suspected gunman is dead. Police are asking people to avoid the area as the scene is still active.
6:49 p.m. | An officer is dead following the shooting, sources told Atlanta News First.
6:39 p.m. | The shelter in place has been lifted but a police emergency continues on the Emory University Atlanta Campus, according to an alert on Emory’s website.
6:35 p.m. | Law enforcement officials are expected to give updates on the shooting soon.
6:29 p.m. | Sources told Atlanta News First that the shooter is dead.
6:23 p.m. | Gov. Brian Kemp said, “Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians. Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.”
Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians. Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) August 8, 2025
Marty, the girls, and I are thankful for all those who answer the…
6:17 p.m. | U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said he is monitoring the active situation. “I’m praying for the officer who was injured, and all students and faculty. I am devastated that our community is facing yet another tragedy of gun violence,” he said in a social media post.
I’m monitoring the active shooter incident at Emory closely. I’m praying for the officer who was injured, and all students and faculty. I am devastated that our community is facing yet another tragedy of gun violence.
— Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) August 8, 2025
6:03 p.m.| The FBI said in a statement that it is aware of the incident and is “enroute and coordinating with local partners for any assistance that might be needed.”
5:55 p.m. | An officer was sent to Emory University Hospital, according to Grady Memorial Hospital. The officer’s condition is not known.
5:50 p.m. | Attorney General Chris Carr said his office stands “ready to assist our law enforcement partners with whatever they may need.”
We’re horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community.
— GA AG Chris Carr (@Georgia_AG) August 8, 2025
We stand ready to assist our law enforcement partners with whatever they may need.
5:11 p.m. | Emory University issued an emergency alert on its website about an active shooter at the Atlanta campus at Emory Point CVS. The alert is asking people to avoid the area.
4:50 p.m. | Shots fired were reported at 1600 Clifton Road NE, according to an Atlanta Police Department narrative.
This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.
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