The iconic headquarters of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta became the centre of a major security alert today after reports of gunfire outside the facility.
Chaos erupted as the complex was immediately placed on lockdown, with employees instructed to shelter in place while armed law enforcement swarmed the campus. The alarming incident triggered a massive response from local and federal authorities.
An official statement from the CDC confirmed the gravity of the situation: "There has been a report of a gunshot(s) fired... CDC has been notified of a person with a gun outside of the CDC in Atlanta. The situation is evolving.”
Eyewitness accounts from within the building described a scene of tension and uncertainty. Staff received urgent notifications to seek safety, as the sound of sirens filled the air. The Atlanta Police Department swiftly cordoned off the area, closing roads and establishing a wide perimeter around the Clifton Road campus.
What We Know:
- Location: The incident occurred outside the main CDC buildings on Clifton Road.
- Response: A heavy police presence, including SWAT teams, was deployed to the scene.
- Status: The lockdown has since been lifted, and the all-clear was given after a thorough search.
While the immediate threat was neutralised without reported injuries, the event sends a chilling message about the security of even the most vital national institutions. The CDC, a cornerstone of global public health, found itself facing a threat far removed from the pandemics and diseases it routinely battles.
Investigations into the precise circumstances surrounding the gunfire are ongoing. This story is developing.
