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Shooting Near Atlanta's Emory University and CDC Leaves Suspect Dead, Officer Injured

The suspect shot at windows of a CDC building.

A group of police officers in tactical gear gather outdoors, some wearing helmets and vests labeled "ATLANTA POLICE."
(Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images)

UPDATED 8/8/25 10:00: Per NBC News, the officer who was shot in response to the gunfire at Emory University has died.

See original story below.

A police officer is injured and a suspect is dead after a shooting took place near the Center of Disease Control and Prevention headquarters and Emory University's campus in Atlanta.

On Aug. 8, an active shooter situation unfolded where a yet-to-be-named suspect approached CDC's building 21 and, according to an employee there, shot multiple rounds at the building. The CDC's headquarters is adjacent to Emory's campus.

DeKalb County Police officers responded to the gunshots and located the suspect on the second floor of a nearby CVS Pharmacy, where gunfire was exchanged, leaving a police officer critically injured. The officer is at an area hospital along with four others who were treated for stress and anxiety-related reasons.

The suspect died from a gunshot wound, though it was unclear as of this writing whether it was self-inflicted or came from authorities.

Though there were 92 children at a daycare center on the CDC campus, no one else was injured.

According to CNN, the police believe that the shooter was either sick or thought that he was, and blamed the illness on the COVID-19 vaccine. They further reported that the shooter's father had reached out to law enforcement before the shooting, to tell them that his son was suicidal.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp released a statement on X about the situation, writing, “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.

“Marty, the girls, and I are thankful for all those who answer the call to serve and who protect their fellow Georgians,” he continued. “We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center.”

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