At least two dead in shooting at CDC HQ in Atlanta as cops say suspect thought Covid
A gunman who believed the Covid-19 vaccine made him sick went on a shooting rampage outside the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, leaving at least one police officer dead.
The shooter left windows shattered at multiple buildings belonging to the CDC as terrified students at nearby Emory College sheltered in place.
The college sent out a desperate alert pleading with students to ‘RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.’ amid an active shooter at around 4pm.
A little over two hours after the alert was sent out, Atlanta Police confirmed that the sole gunman was dead.
‘There is no ongoing threat to the Emory Campus or the surrounding neighborhood. The incident involved a single shooter, who is now deceased,’ Atlanta Police said in a statement.
‘Please avoid the area, as the scene remains active and law enforcement continues its investigation.’
CNN reported that the shooter’s family members spoke to law enforcement and told them that he blamed his recent illness on the COVID-19 vaccine.
It’s the first indication that the CDC was the intended target of the shooter, who has not yet been identified.
College students at Emory in Georgia, were told to run, hide, or fight following the active shooter alert (Pictured: An aerial view of the massive police presence near the college)
Pictured: The terrifying message from Emory College telling students to ‘run, hide, fight’
Pictured: Bullet holes are seen in Building 21 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is just down the road from Emory College
One officer was taken to the hospital, where he died, Atlanta Police said. Another person was injured in the attack.
Multiple gunshots were heard near the main campus of the CDC, which is just down the street from Emory College.
Police officers engaged in a firefight with the suspect after he barricaded himself on the second floor of the CVS located at Emory Point on Clifton Road, which led to some of the law enforcement vehicles getting hit with gunfire.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the shooter was hit with gunfire, adding that it wasn’t immediately clear if his injuries were from officers or if they were self-inflicted.
At around 5:45pm, a FOX 5 helicopter spotted what appeared to be a body covered in front of a store in the area. It’s not clear if this was the shooter.
There were also a social media reports of bullets hitting CDC Building 21, which serves as the CDC’s headquarters.
A photo shared to social media showed at least two bullet holes in two separate windows, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.
A CDC employee did tell CNN that he saw a man approach the steps in front of the building, pull out a rifle and open fire.
The CDC ultimately wasn’t breached, however, the entire campus was still on lockdown earlier this evening.
Pictured: An ambulance is seen near Emory Point, where the shooting took place. Its not clear if this is the civilian or the police officer being rushed to the hospital
The roads in and around Emory Point were clogged with both fleeing civilians and police vehicles rushing to the scene
The FBI’s Atlanta office is also aware of the shooting and is ‘coordinating with local partners for any assistance that might be needed.’
Representative Mike Collins, a Republican that represents the suburbs just outside of Atlanta, posted a brief message to social media in the wake of the tragedy.
‘Students at Emory please take cover. Praying for a swift end to this threat,’ he wrote on X.
Also releasing a statement was Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who pointed out that the Emory College shooting represents the second horrific act of violence in the state this week.
The other one he was referring to was the shooting allegedly perpetrated by an Army sergeant at Fort Stewart on Wednesday that injured five soldiers.
‘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,’ Kemp said.
‘We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center,’ he concluded.
There have been limited eyewitness accounts of the attack on Emory College, with most only hearing popping sounds.
However, a facial spa worker reported seeing a police officer shoot at the suspect near the CVS.
Makia Jones, 24, who works at Skyn Culture spa, told CNN she was at her desk when she saw this.
‘And then I heard the Emory CDC siren go off, and then it was completely silent. After that, you heard like four to eight gunshots continuously, and then silence again,’ she said.