ATLANTA, GA – An active shooter incident at a commercial development adjacent to Emory University’s main campus left a police officer and a civilian injured on Friday afternoon, prompting a massive law enforcement response and placing the university and its hospital on lockdown. The events unfolded on August 8, 2025, creating a tense and chaotic scene in Atlanta’s Druid Hills neighborhood.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting at Emory Point, a mixed-use development on Clifton Road. The incident was concentrated near the CVS pharmacy within the complex, which is located directly across from the main campus of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Authorities confirmed that one police officer and one civilian sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to a nearby hospital. Their conditions were not immediately released.
Emory University issued an emergency alert to its campus community at approximately 4 p.m., warning of an “active shooter” at the Emory Point CVS. The alert urged individuals to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area.” In response, both Emory University and the adjacent Emory University Hospital were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure, securing students, faculty, and medical staff inside.
Dozens of police vehicles from multiple agencies, including the Atlanta Police Department and DeKalb County Police, swarmed the area. Aerial footage from the scene showed several police vehicles with apparent gunshot damage. Later in the evening, around 5:45 p.m., a news helicopter spotted what appeared to be a body covered with a sheet in front of the CVS, though officials have not yet confirmed any fatalities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also responded to the scene. In a statement, the FBI Atlanta field office confirmed its awareness of the incident and stated its agents were cooperating with local partners. Sources told ABC News that the situation began when local police encountered and attempted to engage an armed suspect.
The incident caused significant disruption in the area. The Georgia Department of Transportation reported the closure of Clifton Road NE between Briarcliff Road NE and Haygood Drive. The heavy police presence and street blockades led to major traffic delays on surrounding thoroughfares, including Houston Mill Road and North Decatur Road.
Emory Point, which opened in 2012, is a prominent “live-work-play” community featuring retail stores, restaurants, and residential units. Its proximity to Emory University, Emory Healthcare facilities, and the CDC makes it a central hub for students, medical professionals, and researchers. The university itself is a major private research institution with nearly 16,000 students and is the largest healthcare system in Georgia, according to its website and public records.
As of Friday evening, the investigation remains active, with law enforcement continuing to secure and process the scene. Further details about the suspect and the circumstances leading to the shooting have not yet been made public. This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
