A Message Following Friday’s Shooting

Dear Rollins Community, 

Any senseless act of violence is heartbreaking. It is particularly sobering when it happens close to home. 

Yesterday, our Rollins community was ordered to shelter in place as our dear friends, colleagues, and next-door neighbors at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were targeted by an active shooter. The CDC is also home to thousands of our alumni and a place where many of our current students learn and work. 

Some of the youngest members of our Rollins family had to endure a frightening lockdown at the daycare center on the CDC campus and waited long into the night to be reunited with their parents.

Tragically, Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department, was killed amid the incident. I am deeply thankful for his dedication, immediate response, and bravery. My thoughts are with his two children and his wife, who is pregnant.

This morning, President and Chancellor-Elect Gregory L. Fenves and Interim President-Elect Leah Ward Sears provided details on the timeline and expressed gratitude to the state, local, and federal law enforcement officers who responded to the call.

I echo that gratitude to the Emory Police Department (EPD) and the many officers involved in the response for their quick work to contain the incident and protect our community. I also want to thank the Rollins Operations Team for coordinating with EPD and working to lock and secure our buildings, as well as sending timely updates to everyone.

This disturbing incident comes at a time when many in our public health community are already reeling personally and professionally. My hope is the members of our Rollins and CDC families can turn to each other for comfort and support in the days ahead as we return to our shared mission of protecting public health.

This experience will be difficult for many in our community.  If you need emotional support, please reach out to Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services, the Faculty Staff Assistance Program, or Office of Spiritual and Religious Life. All students have access to comprehensive student support resources through the RSPH Student Support Toolkit and can contact rollinsstudentsupport@emory.edu for additional information and help.

You can also reach out to my office directly if you would like to share your thoughts or concerns.

Additionally, please make sure you have the Emory Safe App, a personal safety mobile app that is free for faculty, staff, and students. Individuals may use this app to report a tip, receive Emory alerts, and access resources.

Students return to campus in a week, and our education, research, and practice missions will remain central to our purpose and serve as a north star in these challenging times. We will continue to prioritize safety, while also embracing the important work ahead and continuing to promote public health—with determination and fortitude.

Sincerely, 

M. Daniele Fallin, PhD
James W. Curran Dean of Public Health
Rollins School of Public Health
Emory University