A suspected shooter is believed to have opened fire on Friday, August 8, near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Although initially labelled an “active shooting” incident, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said during a news conference, “the shooter is now deceased.”
Atlanta Police found the shooter on the second floor of a CVS store at 1600 Clifton Road, where the shots were fired. This particular building is just across the street from the main entrance to the CDC’s main campus.
Chief Darin Schierbaum told reporters that the alleged shooter had been struck by gunfire, but it is not known at this time whether it was self-inflicted. The shooting tragedy, though not having claimed lives of any innocent bystanders, reportedly devolved into a standoff situation, killing one officer.
“We do believe there was a single shooter, and we do believe that single shooter is deceased,” said the police chief. “We want to reassure all parents and loved ones that their children are okay.” All 92 children in a day car on the CDC campus are safe. Four other people, though not physically injured, were treated at a hospital for anxiety and stress.
A CDC source familiar with the situation told CNN that its Atlanta campus had since been put on a lockdown. However, the lockdown on the Emory University campus was lifted after the shooter was found dead.
Atlanta shooting: What we know about the Emory University gunman so far
The alleged Atlanta shooter’s father has since spoken out about the individual’s mental health as well. Moreover, the gunman is said to have been a “known person” to authorities. A CDC employee appears to have emerged as an eyewitness of the unprecedented development, having caught the man responsible for the horror approaching the CDC HQ.
As of now, authorities have revealed that the shooter was heavily armed with multiple guns – two hand guns, one rifle and one shotgun. He is said to have been wearing what looked like a surgical mask at the time of the incident.
Atlanta Mayor said the suspected gunman behind the tragedy “is a know person that may have some interest in certain things that I can’t reiterate right now with any confidence until the investigation is fully conducted.”
Meanwhile, the alleged Atlanta shooter’s father reportedly reached out to law enforcement even before the shooting. He sought to report that his son possibly had suicidal tendencies. However, it remains unclear how much time had passed between the call and the shooting.
Atlanta shooter was targeting the CDC?
Police have already built up the theory that the alleged gunman was potentially firing at the CDC. A law enforcement official told CNN that he was possibly sick or at least he believed he was, blaming it all on the COVID-19 vaccine.
The outlet also disclosed photos shared by an agency employee, showing bullet cracks and fractured glass window at one of the CDC buildings in Atlanta.
A CDC employee further divulged that while driving home from work he caught the suspected shooter near the agency’s Building 21. He saw him put his bag down and fire at the establishment. As per his account as well, the shooting “certainly targeted” the CDC.
The staffer also noted that he saw the gunman pull two rifles from his backpack, following which he heard at least six or seven shots being fired. The shots continued “for several minutes,” he added, recounting that he ultimately rung up 911 from his car.
Officials haven’t released the deceased police officer’s name yet. According to DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the official is survived by his pregnant wife and two children.
This is an ongoing investigation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has taken the lead on the case.