Police Officer Killed in Shootout at Emory University

Some more bad news from Georgia today. The state just went through a mass shooting on a military base two days ago and this afternoon there was another active shooter at Emory University.

Emory Emergency: Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area. Shelter in place.

— Emory University (@EmoryUniversity) August 8, 2025

Sounds of the gunshots were captured by several people.

🚨 🇺🇸 BREAKING: GUNMAN OPENS FIRE AT EMORY COLLEGE, POLICE OFFICER HIT

Police are responding to reports of an active shooter on Emory College’s Atlanta campus near Emory Point in Georgia.

Authorities confirm at least 1 police officer is down.

Students and staff have been… https://t.co/gpMQfScnnO pic.twitter.com/SrvpS3h8UC

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 8, 2025

It appears the shots weren’t aimed at Emory per se but at a CDC building which is adjacent to the campus. There are photos of bullet holes in the CDC building.

BREAKING: Active shooter at the CDC. We received these pictures from a CDC employee inside a building hit my bullets. This is building #24. #cdc #emory pic.twitter.com/iwOm0OXDWm

— Andy Pierrotti (@AndyPierrotti) August 8, 2025

The headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is located by Emory’s campus, and multiple people at the office say there are bullet holes in the windows. There are no reports of injuries at CDC at this time, and people are sheltering in place.…

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 8, 2025

Police found the shooter dead a short time after the gunshots but also found one officer who had been shot.

“The shooter is deceased and we don’t have any civilians that have been shot in this active shooter incident. Thank God for that,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said after a reported shooting near the CDC headquarters and Emory University in Atlanta. However, the situation is… pic.twitter.com/RNsRHAeVHd

— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 8, 2025

And it appears, sadly, that officer succumbed to his injuries. It appears this officer may have already been in the area when the shooting started but authorities aren’t sure why.

NBC affiliate 11 Alive reports that a DeKalb County police officer has died in Emory University shooting. pic.twitter.com/kRIgXZcojk

— Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) August 8, 2025

According to NBC News, it’s not clear if the shooter killed himself or was shot by an officer:

[Police Chief Darin] Schierbaum said officers heard gunfire inside a CVS at the intersection, and went inside the building to try to locate the shooter.

The suspect was found on the second floor of the building that housed the CVS. Schierbaum said he had been hit by gunfire, but that officers are not sure if the wounds were self-inflicted or from police fire.

He died at the scene, Schierbaum said.

CNN is reporting that, after speaking to the shooter’s family, authorities have a possible motive. The shooter apparently believed the COVID vaccine had made him sick. So it’s looking like the CDC was the target here.

JUST IN: The Atlanta gunman believed he was sick from the COVID vaccine and was likely targeting the CDC, according to police.

“After speaking with family members, police are operating under the theory that the shooter either was sick or believed that he was sick and blamed the… pic.twitter.com/Y0zJAGAj4U

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 8, 2025

Here’s Gov. Kemp’s reaction to the news:

Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians. Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.

Marty, the girls, and I are thankful for all those who answer the…

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) August 8, 2025

This is a tough way to end the week. It’s a terrible loss for the officer’s family. His name hasn’t even been released yet. I may update this later if there are new developments.