Shooter, Officer Dead Near CDC And Emory University, Police Say

Updated at 9:05 p.m.

ATLANTA, GA — A police officer was killed Friday along with a gunman who fired multiple shots near the adjoining campuses of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory University, authorities said.

No civilians are believed to have been injured, but several rounds hit buildings on the CDC's sprawling campus, said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum.

The officer who died “received gunfire” during the shooting, DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick said. Officials said earlier that the officer was critically injured at the scene and taken to the hospital.

CDC employees shared photos from inside the buildings that appear to show numerous windows with bullet impacts in them.

The shooter was armed with a long gun, and authorities recovered three other firearms at the scene, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

The gunman was found on the second floor of a building across the street from the CDC and died at the scene, Schierbaum said.

“We do not know at this time whether that was from officers or if it was self-inflicted,” Schierbaum said. A white car with an open trunk was part of the crime scene and is being searched, he added, but it's still unclear if it belonged to the suspect.

Authorities said there is no longer a threat to the public. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the man's motive is not known because the investigation is still in the “preliminary stages.”

A campus emergency alert was initially sent out on X at 5:01 p.m.

"Emory Emergency: Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area," the alert read.

Around 5:30 p.m., the college issued a shelter-in-place for students, staff and others on campus. Emory University Hospital and the CDC's Roybal Campus were also on lockdown, reports said.

The lockdown was lifted shortly after, according to an alert sent by the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response.

Staff at a deli near campus locked the doors and hunkered down inside. Brandy Giraldo, General Muir's chief operating officer, said staffers inside heard a string of gunshots.

“It sounded like fireworks going off, one right after the other,” she said.

Live WSB-TV footage showed dozens of police cars at the scene, as well as fire trucks.

"Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians," Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. "Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.”

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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.

"My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by today’s incident on the Emory campus," said Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, CEO of DeKalb County. "I am grateful for the swift and coordinated response from our law enforcement agencies and first responders.”

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr released the following statement about the shooting: "We’re horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community. We stand ready to assist our law enforcement partners with whatever they may need."

The Associated Press contributed reporting.