Active Shooter Reported Near University in Atlanta

Atlanta police swarmed Emory University Friday afternoon after reports of an active shooter sent students and staff scrambling for cover. One police officer was rushed to Emory University Hospital as the tense situation unfolded just steps from one of Georgia’s most prestigious campuses.

The alert came at 4:18 p.m., when Emory’s Office of Critical Event Preparedness blasted an emergency message to students:

“Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area. Shelter in place.”

Within minutes, heavily armed officers from multiple agencies — including DeKalb County Police, the Atlanta Police Department, and the Emory University Police Department — had flooded the scene. Witnesses reported hearing “multiple bursts” that sounded like gunfire near Emory Point, a busy shopping and dining area frequented by students.

“It was pure panic. Everyone started running toward the parking garage. People were screaming, dropping their drinks, just trying to get away,” said Brian Thomas, a graduate student who had been grabbing lunch nearby.

A spokesperson for Grady Hospital confirmed to Fox News that one officer was taken to Emory University Hospital. Authorities have not disclosed the officer’s condition or whether they were struck by gunfire.

Officials have not confirmed any civilian injuries or fatalities. “We are still in an active response,” an Atlanta PD spokesperson told reporters. “We urge everyone in the vicinity to remain sheltered until further notice.”

Emory University — home to more than 15,000 students and ranked among the nation’s top research institutions — is known for its proximity to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters. The reported shooting scene is less than half a mile from the CDC’s main campus, raising immediate security concerns.

The university’s College of Arts and Sciences alone has over 5,700 undergraduates, many of whom were either in class or walking between buildings when the alert sounded. “It’s surreal,” said sophomore Emily Watkins. “We’ve practiced lockdown drills, but you never think it’s going to be real.”

Atlanta, like many American cities, has seen a rise in high-profile shooting incidents in public spaces over the past year. Emory’s location — in a busy area that blends academic, residential, and commercial zones — poses unique challenges for law enforcement during an active shooter event.

DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies, SWAT teams, and campus police maintained a heavy presence into the evening, with armored vehicles blocking off multiple intersections. Investigators were seen focusing on the CVS pharmacy area at Emory Point, though officials have not revealed whether the suspect was in custody.

“This is a dynamic and ongoing investigation,” said DeKalb Police Chief Mirtha Ramos. “Our priority right now is ensuring the safety of everyone in and around the campus.”

As of Friday night, students remained under shelter-in-place orders, with the university warning that updates would come only when it was safe.