ATLANTA — A DeKalb County Police officer died confronting a gunman near the Emory Atlanta campus, which is right outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Interim Police Chief Greg Padrick said. The Atlanta Police Department confirmed the suspect also died.

The CDC called the incident an attack on its Roybal Campus, which was on lockdown for hours Friday night due to the police investigation. 

“A courageous local law enforcement officer gave their life, and another was injured, after a gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings,” said CDC Director Susan Monarez.

The DeKalb Police Department identified the officer killed as 33-year-old David Rose, who joined the department in Sept. 2024.

Padrick said the officer’s death comes with profound sadness, saying he was one who was committed to serving the community.

“This officer responded to the call, as he did, as he was trained to do,” Padrick said. “During that incident, he received gunfire and lost his life.”

Rose leaves behind a wife, two children and a third child that’s on the way. 

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson called Friday a “dark day,” saying the officer was married with children.

“There is a wife without a husband, there are three children, one unborn, without a father,” she said. “There is a mother and a father as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss. This evening, my heart goes out to the family as well as the DeKalb County family.”

This unfolded in the 1600 block of Clifton Road near the intersection of CDC Parkway — right in front of the CDC. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said they received a call about an active shooter around 4:50 p.m., and multiple agencies responded. Scheirbaum said other officers arriving found the wounded DeKalb officer, and he was rushed to Emory University Hospital.

Police on the scene were still hearing gunfire at the nearby CVS at the intersection– where Schierbaum said police found the shooter on the second floor of the CVS. The shooter had been injured by gunfire.

“We do not know at this time if it was from an officer or if it was self-inflicted. He was removed from the location by Atlanta Fire Rescue to render aid. He did pass at the scene,” Scheirbaum said.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said there were windows shot on various floors of the CDC. However, no civilians were hurt. Also on the CDC’s campus is a day care where Dickens said 92 children were present.

“They are safe and we are setting up with the CDC and all connected parties to be able to get those families reunited with those children,” Dickens said.

Schierbaum said the reunification process was happening at The Clifton School, located at 1900 Starvine Way.

Emory University officials shared around 5 p.m. that there was an active shooter on the Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. Initially, Emory officials shared on X to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” and told people to “avoid the area.”

CNN reported that a law enforcement official said the CDC did not appear to have been breached.

“To the men and women who work at the CDC, we know you’ve had a tough go of it in the past year, and my heart goes out to you as there was uncertainty around your occupation,” Dickens said.

The CDC director thanked law enforcement for its prompt response.

“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. “We are deeply grateful to Governor Kemp, Georgia residents, and the American people for standing with us during this difficult time.”

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11Alive crews on the scene spotted multiple agencies responding. FBI Atlanta also went to the scene. GDOT cameras and 11Alive SkyTracker also showed law enforcement with streets blocked. 

Chris Weaver, an employee of Emory, told 11Alive’s Chase Houle that he believed he heard the shots. 

“I was stunned at first,” he said, adding that the response made him realize he would be safe.

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said her team has been in close contact with authorities about the shooting. APD requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to assist with the investigation.