Police Officer Fatally Shot Outside CDC Headquarters in Atlanta

Fri Dec 05 2025 17:51:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A tragic shooting incident outside the CDC has resulted in the death of an officer, stirring concerns about public safety.

An Atlanta police officer, David Rose, 33, has died after responding to a shooting outside the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters, near Emory University. The incident unfolded around 4:50 PM on Friday, when reports of an active shooter prompted an extensive police response. The lone gunman, who is also deceased, was believed to be suffering from mental health issues related to a misperception concerning COVID-19 vaccination side effects. Fortunately, no civilians were reported injured during the event.

The Atlanta police confirmed that while responding to the shooter, they discovered Rose had been critically injured. He was transported to a local hospital but did not survive. City officials expressed their sorrow, as Rose was a father to two children and had another on the way. In a public statement, CDC Director Susan Monarez lamented the sacrifice of the officer and praised the rapid response of local law enforcement and security teams, which helped prevent further casualties. Throughout the tense situation, the CDC noted the substantial police presence aimed at securing safety for employees, leading to a shelter-in-place order that was lifted shortly after the shooting ceased.

Officials stated there is currently no ongoing threat in the area and have advised CDC employees to work remotely in the coming days following the tragic event.