Emory University shooting suspect dead, police officer killed as authorities probe motive; check top updates here

In a major update in connection to the shooter incident on the campus of Emory University and near the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, a police officer and a suspected gunman were killed on Friday (August 8, 2025), according to authorities. The development came after law enforcement responded to reports of an active shooter.

There were no reports of any civilians sustaining injuries, but several rounds hit buildings on the CDC's sprawling campus, said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. CDC employees. According to the photos that surfaced from inside the buildings, shared by the CDC employees, it appeared that numerous windows had bullet impacts in them, according to local media reports.

Shooter was armed with long gun, say officials

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 to news agency AP on the condition of anonymity. Schierbaum said that the gunman was found on the second floor of a building across the street from the CDC and died at the scene.

“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 truck was part of the crime scene and is being searched, he further stated, as quoted by AP. It is, however, still unclear if it belonged to the suspect. According to law enforcement officials on the scene, the suspect was wearing what they described as looking like a surgical mask, CNN reported, citing a source.

The official also stated that the shooter carried multiple rounds of magazines with him and was wearing ear protection. The suspect fired directly at an officer’s car after law enforcement arrived on the scene to confront him, the official further stated.

Shooter’s motive unknown, says Atlanta Mayor

Speaking about the shooter’s likely motive, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said that it is not known because the investigation is still in the “preliminary stages.” Authorities have stated that there is no longer a threat to the public.

Staff at a nearby deli reported hearing what sounded like a string of gunshots. “It sounded like fireworks going off, one right after the other,” said Brandy Giraldo, the chief operating officer of The General Muir restaurant.

Shelter-in-place order on campus lifted, says Emory University

Emory University announced in a post on X that the shelter-in-place order on campus had been lifted, but asked people to avoid the area. By around 6 p.m., a warning siren repeatedly sounded near the Emory and CDC campuses, as law enforcement vehicles parked throughout the streets.

Gov. Brian Kemp praised the efforts of first responders. “Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians,” Kemp was quoted by AP as saying, referring to the shooting at Fort Stewart. “Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.”

Emory’s main campus, Emory University Hospital, and the CDC are surrounded by affluent wooded neighborhoods in northeast Atlanta. All three institutions line up along Clifton Road. The area is hard to access and notoriously traffic-choked, but on Friday, few cars were in evidence. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said We're horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community."