ATLANTA — A tragic shooting incident near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) left a police officer dead and the gunman, identified as 30-year-old Patrick White, also deceased. The confrontation unfolded on August 8, with authorities indicating that Officer David Rose was killed soon after arriving on the scene.
The first reports of an active shooter came in shortly before 5 p.m., prompting immediate responses from law enforcement. Officer Rose, 33, was the primary officer dispatched to the distress call, but he was met with gunfire almost instantly upon his arrival near the CDC’s Roybal Campus. While Officer Rose succumbed to his injuries, another officer sustained non-life-threatening wounds during the exchange.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as gunshots were fired toward CDC buildings before the suspect entered a nearby CVS store, where a gunfight erupted on the second floor. White was pronounced dead at the scene, but officials have yet to disclose whether he died by police fire or from self-inflicted injuries.
Officer Rose had recently joined the DeKalb County Police Department after graduating from the academy. He is remembered for his dedication to community service and leaves behind a wife and three children, including one on the way. Interim Police Chief Greg Padrick praised Rose’s commitment, stating he acted heroically in the face of danger.
Investigators identified Patrick White from Kennesaw, Georgia. Reports suggest that his family believed he might have been motivated by an alleged illness linked to the COVID-19 vaccine, though authorities have not confirmed any motive at this time.
An extensive law enforcement response involved multiple agencies, including the Atlanta Police, the FBI, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. As a precaution, Emory University and the CDC were placed on lockdown, with a daycare center on the CDC campus safely evacuating children. Fortunately, no civilians were reported injured during the episode, though Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens noted that several windows at the CDC were damaged by gunfire.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing experience of hearing rapid gunfire and observing a large police presence as helicopters whirled overhead. The urgency of the situation resonated deeply with the community, prompting responses from Governor Brian Kemp and other officials who expressed condolences to Officer Rose’s family.
As the investigation continues, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation stated that processing the extensive evidence at the scene will take time. The community mourns the loss of a dedicated officer while grappling with the tragic implications of the shooting. Details regarding Officer Rose’s funeral are not yet available.