Emory University active-shooter incident: Suspect and officer dead in campus shooting
Emory University was thrust into a crisis on August 8, 2025, when an active-shooter incident unfolded near its Atlanta campus, prompting a city-wide lockdown and a swift law enforcement response.
What Happened: A Timeline of Events
- At approximately 4:50 p.m., shots were fired near an Emory Point CVS adjoining the Campus and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters. Emory University immediately issued a “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” alert urging people to stay away from the area. Shortly thereafter, a shelter-in-place order was issued AxiosThe GuardianThe Wall Street JournalPeople.com.
- Law enforcement officers responded rapidly. They encountered gunfire emanating from the second floor of the CVS, where the shooter was later located. An exchange of gunfire occurred; the shooter was killed, though it remains unclear whether his death was self-inflicted or the result of police action The Wall Street JournalThe GuardianAxiosPeople.com.
- Tragically, Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old DeKalb County police officer, was fatally wounded while responding to the scene. He was rushed to Emory University Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries FOX 5 AtlantaNew York PostAxiosThe GuardianThe Wall Street JournalABC News.
Casualties & Damage
- No civilians were killed. Reports confirm that none of the 92 children in the daycare on the CDC campus were harmed AxiosThe Wall Street JournalNew York PostThe Guardian.
- Shots shattered windows at several CDC buildings. However, there were no casualties reported within the CDC facilities The GuardianThe Wall Street JournalNew York Post.
- Additional minor injuries were reported among bystanders and first responders, mainly attributed to stress or anxiety—not bullets ABC NewsThe Wall Street Journal.
Law Enforcement & Government Response
- A multi-agency task force—comprising the FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Police Department, and Emory Police Department—initiated a joint investigation The Guardiannews.emory.eduAxiosFOX 5 Atlanta.
- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp lauded the bravery of first responders while also drawing parallels to another recent shooting at Fort Stewart, highlighting the urgency of addressing gun violence The Guardian.
- Local Atlanta leaders, including Mayor Andre Dickens and Senator Raphael Warnock, expressed condolences and underscored the community’s collective grief AxiosThe GuardianPeople.com.
Video Capturing the Incident:
Statement from Emory University
Emory Police Chief Burt Buchtinec confirmed that multiple law enforcement agencies were verifying the details, with the area secured as an active crime scene. The university advised community members to avoid the area and promised further communication once facts were clarified news.emory.edu.
What We Know—and What Still Remains Unclear
| Known | Still Under Investigation |
|---|---|
| Shooter is dead; Officer David Rose killed | Shooter’s motive not confirmed |
| No civilian casualties | Details on shooter’s background, mental state |
| CDC children were unharmed | Whether shooter acted alone or had accomplices |
| Multi-agency investigation underway | Broader implications for campus safety protocols |
Looking Ahead: The Aftermath & Moving Forward
- The shooting has reignited urgent discussions over campus security, emergency protocols, and mental health interventions on university grounds.
- The community continues to rally around Officer Rose’s grieving family. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children, with a third on the way FOX 5 AtlantaNew York PostABC NewsThe Guardian.
- Classes are scheduled to resume later this month, with heightened safety measures expected. Emory and federal agencies continue their deep dive into motive, response effectiveness, and potential procedural reforms.
