Gunman Kills Police Officer in the U.S.; Shooter Found Dead at the Scene

A tragic shooting near the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta left a police officer dead on Friday evening. Authorities confirmed that the suspected gunman was later found dead at the scene.

According to police, no other individuals were physically harmed during the incident, though multiple rounds were fired in the vicinity of the CDC campus and a nearby pharmacy.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated during a press briefing that officers arrived at the scene to find a DeKalb County police officer critically injured on the ground. The officer, later identified as 33-year-old David Rose, was pronounced dead. He is survived by his pregnant wife and two children, according to an official statement.

The identity of the gunman has not yet been released. Chief Schierbaum noted that the investigation remains in its early stages and declined to comment on reports by CNN and The New York Times suggesting the shooter may have blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for an unspecified illness. Those reports also mentioned that the suspect’s father had previously informed police that his son was suicidal.

The shooting began shortly before 5 p.m. local time near the CDC grounds and a CVS drugstore. The gunman was found dead on the second floor of the CVS with what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities currently believe the shooter acted alone.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens told reporters, “The suspect is deceased, and no civilians were shot during this active shooter incident.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp offered his condolences, saying, “We are all praying for those who step forward to serve and protect their fellow citizens.”