Atlanta, GA – DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, 33, was killed on Friday, August 8, 2025, after a gunman opened fire near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters and Emory University campus. The assailant, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia, was found dead at the scene following the incident. Authorities are investigating White's potential motive, which reportedly stemmed from a belief that the COVID-19 vaccine caused him depression and suicidal thoughts.
Officer Rose, a father of two with a third child on the way, was responding to reports of an active shooter when he was critically injured. He later succumbed to his wounds at Emory University Hospital. Political figure Andrew Yang expressed condolences on social media, stating, > "The CDC shooting is terrible - praying for the family of the officer who was killed while trying to save the lives of others. 🙏🇺🇸"
The incident began shortly before 5 p.m. when White fired dozens of rounds into at least four CDC buildings from a CVS pharmacy across the street, shattering windows. He reportedly attempted to enter the CDC headquarters but was stopped by security. Law enforcement officials recovered a long gun, two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun, along with two backpacks filled with ammunition, from the scene.
Patrick Joseph White's father had reportedly contacted police earlier, expressing concerns about his son's mental state and fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine. While the exact circumstances of White's death remain under investigation, authorities have not yet confirmed if he was killed by police gunfire or if his wound was self-inflicted. No other civilians were reported injured in the attack, though some sought medical attention for anxiety.
Following the shooting, all Atlanta-area CDC campuses were closed, and employees were advised to work remotely for security assessments. CDC Director Susan Monarez stated the agency was "heartbroken by today’s attack," while Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed that 92 children in a daycare center on the CDC campus were safely evacuated. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the ongoing inquiry into the tragic event.