A cop was killed when an unhinged masked gunman who blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for an apparent illness unleashed a hail of bullets outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta on Friday, according to police and reports.<\/p>\n
The deranged suspect, who died at the scene, opened fire on at least four CDC buildings and then stormed into a building across the street that houses a CVS at Georgia\u2019s Emory University around 4:50 p.m., forcing students to shelter in place on the last day of the summer term, authorities said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the alleged shooter, described as a white man, sprayed multiple rounds at law enforcement and the health agency, which also houses a daycare caring for 92 children, all of whom were unharmed.<\/p>\n
A bullet-ridden police vehicle near the scene of a shooting outside Emory University Fox 5 Atlanta<\/p>\n
A photo taken from inside the nearby CDC building shows bullet holes in the window. via WSB-TV 2<\/p>\n
Witnesses said the shooter was armed with multiple guns \u2013 two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun \u2013 and was wearing what appeared to be a surgical mask when he \u201ctargeted\u201d at the CDC\u2019s buildings, CNN reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One CDC employee told the outlet he was leaving work when he saw the suspected gunman approach the steps of the agency\u2019s campus, set down a backpack, and fire away at the building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have friends and their kids who were on lockdown,\u201d the unidentified worker said, adding that he heard at least seven shots when he called his wife to make sure his children, who attend the agency\u2019s daycare, were safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have very close colleagues who were locked down in the office at CDC, you know, cowering or sort of sheltering in place.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
An officer was wounded at the scene and later died. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Chilling photos shared on social media<\/a>\u00a0showed bullet holes piercing the windows of the health agency\u2019s headquarters, located right next to the university.\u00a0<\/p>\n The CDC campus remained on lockdown for hours after the shooting, as officials investigated and worked to reunite the daycare\u2019s children with their parents, officials said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe at the CDC are heartbroken by today\u2019s attack on our Roybal Campus,\u201d health officials said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cA courageous local law enforcement officer gave their life\u2026 after a gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC. We are actively coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to fully investigate the shooter and this tragic crime.\u201d<\/p>\n The crazed gunman was later found on the second floor of the CVS building with a fatal gunshot wound, after shooting DeKalb County officer David Rose, police said. <\/p>\n The heroic officer, who leaves behind his pregnant wife and two children, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis evening, there is a wife without a husband,\u201d DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said at a press conference, where officers praised their fallen brother\u2019s unwavering commitment to his community.<\/p>\n Police were quick to arrive on the scene, surrounding the location in Emory Point. AP<\/p>\n \u201cThere are three children, one unborn, without a father. There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss. Let\u2019s join together to give this family the support it needs during this traumatic loss.\u201d<\/p>\n No other civilians or police were injured in the shooting.<\/p>\n Police said they have not yet determined whether the gunman\u2019s fatal gunshot was self-inflicted.<\/p>\n Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens ominously said that the shooter \u201cis a known person that may have some interest in certain things that I can\u2019t reiterate right now.\u201d<\/p>\n The suspect\u2019s father, however, had alerted authorities that he believed his son was suicidal shortly before the shooting, CNN reported.<\/p>\n Police say there is no ongoing threat. AP<\/p>\n While it wasn\u2019t immediately clear how much time had passed between the call and the brazen attack, law enforcement told the outlet the shooter was possibly sick, attributing the supposed ailment to the COVID-19 vaccine, according to police interviews with the suspect\u2019s family.\u00a0<\/p>\n Police have not publicly disclosed a motive behind the vicious shooting.<\/p>\n Shortly after gunshots erupted, Emory University officials issued an urgent alert around 5 p.m., reporting an active shooter near the Emory Point CVS on campus and urging all students to \u201cRUN\u201d and \u201cHIDE.\u201d<\/p>\n Local, state and federal officers swarmed the scene, with horrifying\u00a0social media videos<\/a>\u00a0showing a rapid barrage of gunfire as first responders raced to the college.<\/p>\n In\u00a0one video filmed<\/a>\u00a0by a nearby resident, eight gunshots ring out, followed by a brief pause, then more than a dozen pop in rapid succession.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sounded like fireworks going off, one right after the other,\u201d Brandy Giraldo, the owner of a nearby deli,\u00a0told the Associated Press.<\/a><\/p>\n One police cruiser at the scene also appeared to have been hit by about a dozen gunshots to its windshield and hood.<\/p>\n One photo taken at the terrifying scene shows what appears to be a man lying lifeless on a stretcher beside an ambulance surrounded by dozens of police officers.\u00a0<\/p>\n It remains unclear whether the person pictured is the alleged shooter.<\/p>\n Students were advised to shelter in place as the terror unfolded, with the\u00a0lockdown lifted by 6:30 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n