Atlanta, Georgia — A tragic shooting incident occurred at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, leading to the identification of a suspect and the death of a police officer. Authorities have confirmed that 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White from Kennesaw, Georgia, is the individual responsible for the attack.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the shooting took place outside the CDC headquarters, resulting in multiple rounds being fired into four buildings on the campus. During the chaos, Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department was fatally shot. He was a dedicated officer, having recently graduated from the police academy in March, and previously served as a Marine in Afghanistan.
White’s body was later discovered on the second floor of a nearby building, with initial investigations indicating he was armed with a long gun. Authorities recovered three additional firearms from the scene, although the circumstances surrounding White’s death remain unclear. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum stated it is undetermined whether the gunshot wound was self-inflicted or the result of police action.
No other injuries were reported during the shooting, but the impact of the event was visibly felt throughout the CDC campus. Director Susan Monarez shared images on social media depicting shattered windows across several buildings, highlighting the damage caused by the gunfire.
As investigations continue, the motive behind White’s actions has yet to be established. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens emphasized the ongoing nature of the inquiry during a press briefing Friday evening.
In a heartfelt statement, DeKalb County’s CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson addressed the personal toll of the tragedy. “This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father,” she said, reflecting the profound loss felt by the community.
The incident has shaken not just the CDC but also the broader Atlanta community, igniting discussions about safety and response protocols in public spaces. Law enforcement continues to investigate the shooting, assuring the public that more information will be made available as it unfolds.