Gunman opens fire at CDC headquarters, killing police officer
- A gunman targeted the CDC headquarters, resulting in a police officer's death.
- Authorities suggest the shooter was influenced by his beliefs in vaccine conspiracies.
- The incident underscores concerns about public safety and misinformation around vaccines.
In Atlanta, Georgia, a tragic shooting occurred outside the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, August 10, 2025. The incident resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who was killed while responding to the situation. The shooter, identified as a 30-year-old man, died at the scene, having previously expressed deep dissatisfaction and blame towards the COVID-19 vaccine, which he believed had adversely affected his mental health. The incident unfolded as the gunman attempted to enter the CDC facility but was unsuccessful due to the intervention of security personnel. After being deterred from entering the CDC, the shooter drove to a CVS pharmacy across the street and opened fire, targeting the CDC campus, which had several buildings impacted by gunfire. Witnesses from nearby establishments described the alarming sounds of what they believed were gunshots, with employees and children at a daycare on the CDC campus placed in lockdown for safety. Officer Rose, a Marine veteran, had joined the police force only months prior and was actively protecting the community when he was fatally shot during the chaos. Law enforcement officials believe the shooter’s actions were driven by his fixation on anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and his assertion that the vaccines had harmed him. Neighbors reported that the gunman had displayed signs of being deeply unsettled and had vocalized conspiracy theories about vaccines. The father of the shooter also conveyed to authorities that his son was struggling with emotional distress after the loss of his dog, and this compounded his fixation on vaccine-related issues. The shooting prompted an immediate lockdown of not only the CDC but also nearby Emory University, hospitals, and schools. The event raised critical concerns among public health officials and law enforcement regarding the implications of vaccine misinformation, with calls for improved security measures for scientists and public health workers. The incident is seen as an attack not only against a law enforcement officer but also as an alarming manifestation of growing hostility surrounding public health measures linked to the pandemic.