On a seemingly ordinary Friday afternoon, August 8, 2025, the quiet streets near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, were shattered by chaos. Gunfire erupted near Clifton Road and CDC Parkway, a bustling area surrounded by affluent neighborhoods and critical public health institutions. At the heart of this tragedy stood Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old DeKalb County police officer whose courage and commitment to his community would leave an indelible mark, even as his life was tragically cut short.

Officer David Rose, a rookie with less than a year on the force, responded to a chilling 911 call reporting an active shooter at a CVS pharmacy in the Emory Point complex, just across from the CDC’s Roybal Campus. The suspect, armed with multiple firearms, including a long gun, had unleashed a barrage of bullets, striking at least four CDC buildings and sending shockwaves through the community. As employees at the nation’s premier public health agency and parents of 92 children at a nearby daycare grappled with fear, Rose and his fellow officers rushed toward the danger, embodying the selfless bravery that defines law enforcement.

Around 4:50 p.m., as sirens blared and Emory University issued a “Run, Hide, Fight” alert, Rose confronted the gunman. In a harrowing exchange of gunfire, the officer was critically wounded. Despite being rushed to Emory University Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a grieving community and a family forever changed. The suspect, described only as a white male, was found dead on the second floor of the CVS with a gunshot wound, though authorities have yet to confirm whether it was self-inflicted or the result of police action. No civilians were harmed, though four individuals sought hospital treatment for stress and anxiety in the aftermath.

David Rose was more than a badge. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he had served four years, including a deployment to Afghanistan, before joining the DeKalb County Police Department in September 2024. After graduating from the police academy in March 2025, he was assigned to the North Central Precinct, where his professionalism and dedication quickly earned the respect of his colleagues. “He was committed to serving the community,” said Interim Police Chief Greg Padrick, his voice heavy with grief during a somber press conference. “He answered the call, as he was trained to do, and he gave his life in service to others.”

Rose’s loss reverberates far beyond the precinct. He leaves behind a devoted wife, two young daughters, and a third child—a son—expected later this year. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson captured the depth of the tragedy: “This evening, there is a wife without a husband, three children—one unborn—without a father, and a mother, father, and siblings who share in this traumatic loss.” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, reflecting on Rose’s sacrifice, called for a national conversation on gun violence, noting that such acts of bravery in the face of chaos “should not become the norm.”

The incident, which prompted a lockdown of the CDC campus and surrounding areas, has left the community reeling. CDC Director Susan Monarez expressed heartbreak over the attack, thanking law enforcement for their swift response while announcing that employees would work remotely on Monday to allow for a security assessment. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has taken the lead in unraveling the circumstances of the shooting, with the FBI offering support. As investigators piece together the motive—still unclear in the early stages—questions linger about whether the CDC was a deliberate target or caught in the crossfire of a broader act of violence.

The tragedy marks the second mass shooting in Georgia in just two days, following an attack at Fort Stewart that left five soldiers injured. Governor Brian Kemp, addressing the back-to-back incidents, praised the “brave first responders who rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives.” U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock echoed the sentiment, mourning Rose’s death and calling for unity in the face of yet another gun violence tragedy.

As DeKalb County lowers its flags to half-staff, the community rallies to honor a hero who ran toward danger to protect others. Officer David Rose’s legacy—defined by service, sacrifice, and love for his family—will endure in the hearts of those he served. While the investigation continues, one truth remains undeniable: Rose’s courage saved countless lives, and his memory will inspire a community to come together in grief, gratitude, and resolve.