A DeKalb County police officer died after being critically injured during an active shooter incident Friday.
For more than 90 minutes, the Emory University campus and nearby Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and hospital were on lockdown after an active shooter opened fired, according to metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies.
The chaotic scene Friday afternoon forced those in the area to go on lockdown while dozens of law enforcement officers swarmed the area.
By Friday evening, Atlanta police said the shooter had been killed. His name was not released.
Late Friday, the officer was identified as 33-year-old Officer David Rose. Rose was a married father of two, with a third child on the way, officials said. He joined the department in September, DeKalb police said.
“Today is a dark day,” DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said. “There is now a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father.
“My heart goes out to the family and to the DeKalb County family.”
Atlanta police Chief Darin Schierbaum said investigators believe there was only one gunman. Multiple rounds of gunfire were fired, the chief said. It was not immediately known whether the gunman shot himself or was shot by an officer.
Credit: DeKalb County police
Credit: DeKalb County police
After the injured officer was located at the scene, additional responding officers could still hear gunfire from inside a CVS located at Emory Point, Schierbaum said.
“Officers moved quickly to attempt to find the shooter and to neutralize the threat to the community,” Schierbaum said.
The shooter was found on the second floor of the CVS.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Friday night that no civilians were injured.
“We thank God for that,” Dickens said.
A total of 92 children were being held in a nearby daycare center and were not injured, Dickens said. They were reunited with their parents late Friday night.
Four people went to a hospital after the incident for symptoms related to stress and anxiety, Schierbaum said.
“They were not injured in the shooting,” he said.
Pictures from inside a CDC building showed windows shattered by gunfire. Late Friday, newly confirmed CDC Director Susan Monarez sent a message to all of her employees, thanking them for their professionalism.
“Law enforcement is still assessing damage to CDC buildings, but it is a relief to report that no CDC employees or visitors were harmed, and we are grateful for the swift response of CDC Security and local law enforcement,” Monarez said. “As we navigate the aftermath of this event, we want to express our eternal gratitude to law enforcement personnel who were injured and share our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Dekalb County Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty. I admire the bravery and dedication it takes to face these situations head-on.”
The DeKalb officer, who was taken to Emory University Hospital, was the fourth Georgia law enforcement member killed in the line of duty this year. Georgia is now third in the nation for officer deaths behind California with 10 and Texas with five, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page that tracks law enforcement deaths.
The last DeKalb officer to die on the job was Sgt. Daniel Mobley, who was struck by a vehicle on Jan. 2, 2021. Mobley, a 22-year veteran of the department, was 44.
Moments before 5 p.m., the first calls to 911 came in, Schierbaum said.
The Emory campus in DeKalb County was alerted to a shooter at a CVS store on campus shortly after 5 p.m.
“RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area. Shelter in place,” school officials said.
Shortly before 7 p.m., police advised the emergency shooting situation had ended.
Clifton Road and nearby corridors remained closed off due to police activity. Images from those inside the CDC Roybal Campus building showed windows shattered by bullets.
It was the second time in days that an active shooter has threatened Georgia. Earlier this week, a soldier opened fire on colleagues at Fort Stewart, outside of Savannah.
“Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement on social media. “Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.”
In addition to Emory campus police, law enforcement officers from various other local departments, including Atlanta, Fulton County, Doraville, Chamblee, Dunwoody, and Sandy Springs, along with FBI agents from the Atlanta office and the GBI, flooded into the area.
The GBI was taking over the investigation, police said Friday night.
“Marty, the girls, and I are thankful for all those who answer the call to serve and who protect their fellow Georgians,” Kemp said. “We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center.”
Summer classes ended Wednesday for Emory, according to the university’s calendar. Exams were held Thursday and Friday. Fall classes begin Aug. 27.
About the Authors
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
