Gunman Opens Fire Near Cdc Headquarters In Atlanta

A gunman opened fire outside of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s main campus in Atlanta, killing a police officer and hitting some of the buildings several times, authorities said.

Law enforcement officials said the suspect was “struck by gunfire” and died at the scene. No civilian casualties were reported.

Police said they are still investigating the motive for the shooting. According to a CNN report citing law enforcement, police are operating under the theory that the gunman was either sick, or believed that he was sick, and blamed the Covid-19 vaccine for his illness.

CDC Director Susan Monarez said Friday night that the agency is working with federal, state, and local authorities on the investigation.

“We at CDC are heartbroken by today’s attack on our Roybal Campus, which remains on lockdown as authorities investigate the shooting,” Monarez said in a statement. “A courageous local law enforcement officer gave their life, and another was injured, after a gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings.

CDC employees at the agency’s main campus sheltered in place after the gunshots, two agency employees, granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, told POLITICO Friday. Photos shared with POLITICO show bullet marks in upper story windows of an agency building.

Law enforcement officials became aware of the shooting around 4:50 p.m., Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said during a press conference. When they arrived, they could hear gunfire happening in a nearby CVS, where officers found the gunman “struck by gunfire,” Schierbaum added.