ATLANTA — A police officer was fatally shot on Friday during a response to a report of an active shooter near the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory University, prompting widespread lockdowns and a heavy police presence in the area.
Officer David Rose, who joined the DeKalb County Police Department in September 2024, was responding to the incident at the intersection of Clifton Road and CDC Parkway when he was shot. After being transported to Emory University Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries, according to department officials. He is survived by his wife and two children, with a third child on the way.
Interim Police Chief Greg Padrick expressed condolences, stating, “Officer Rose was dedicated to serving our community. We ask the public to keep his family and our police department in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
The incident occurred around 5 p.m., resulting in the CDC and Emory University going into lockdown as dozens of officers rushed to the scene. Fortunately, no civilians were reported injured, but multiple shots struck at least four buildings within the CDC complex, which is crucial for public health research. Images from the scene depicted shattered windows and signs of gunfire.
Authorities later identified the shooter as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw. He was found deceased on the second floor of a nearby building, although the cause of death remains under investigation. “We are still determining whether the death was due to officer intervention or self-inflicted,” said Police Chief Schierbaum.
White was reportedly armed with a long gun and had several other firearms at the location. The investigation into his motives is ongoing, with officials describing him as “a known individual” whose potential interests are still being explored, as stated by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
Witnesses nearby recounted the harrowing moments when gunfire erupted, with one restaurant employee likening the sounds to continuous fireworks. “It was terrifying. We just locked the doors and hunkered down,” recalled Brandy Giraldo, the chief operating officer of The General Muir deli.
Local leaders expressed their sorrow following the tragedy. Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry remarked on the devastating impact on the community, while DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston extended her sympathies to Officer Rose’s family and colleagues. “This loss weighs heavily on all of us,” she said.
In light of the shooting, CDC Director Susan Monarez expressed gratitude for the swift response from law enforcement and announced that the agency would work remotely on Monday to conduct a security assessment. “This incident is an attack on our community,” she stated.
Gov. Brian Kemp highlighted the ongoing issue of violence targeting innocent individuals, referencing two shootings in the state within the same week. He commended the first responders for their bravery in confronting the threat. “They remind us of the vital role they play in safeguarding our communities,” Kemp noted.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the loss and seeks answers regarding the motives behind this tragic incident.