A police officer has died from injuries sustained while responding to a shooting outside the headquarters of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is near Emory University.
The Atlanta police department said the incident, which took place on Friday, involved a “single shooter” who is now dead.
Police identified the officer killed as 33-year-old David Rose, who had two children with a third on the way, the BBC’s US partner CBS News reported. He had been shot and taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries.
There have been no reports of any civilian injuries resulting from the shooting, Atlanta city mayor said.
US media, citing an unnamed law enforcement official, reported a theory that the alleged gunman believed he was sick as a result of a coronavirus vaccine.
Media reports also suggested the man’s father had called law enforcement on the day of the shooting believing his son was suicidal.
CDC Director Susan Monarez said the centre was “heartbroken” by the attack.
“A courageous local law enforcement officer gave his life, and another was injured, after a gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings,” she wrote in a post on X.
“DeKalb County police, CDC security, and Emory University responded immediately and decisively, helping to prevent further harm to our staff and community.”
In a press briefing given on Friday, police said they became aware of a report of an active shooter at around 16:50 local time (21:50 BST) at a road intersection “immediately” in front of the CDC campus.
Officers from multiple agencies responded, including federal and state partners, police added.
Emory University posted at the time on social media: “Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.”
The CDC campus received multiple rounds of gunfire into the buildings.
Police said they found the shooter “struck by gunfire” on the second floor of a CVS pharmacy by the intersection – but could not specify on Friday whether that was from law enforcement or self-inflicted.
A shelter-in-place was lifted around an hour and a half after the shooting was reported, according to CBS News.
The police department has since said there is “no ongoing threat” to the campus or surrounding neighbourhood.
Media outlets have reported that CDC employees have been asked to work remotely on Monday.
