Georgia police officer killed after gunman opens fire on CDC headquarters in Atlanta

A DeKalb County police officer was killed Friday after a masked gunman opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta.

Officer David Rose, 33, was shot during the response to the incident and later died at Emory University Hospital. The suspect was found fatally wounded at the scene, though police have not determined whether the injury was self-inflicted.

CNN reported that law enforcement believes the shooter, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, targeted the CDC building after falling ill and blaming his condition on the Covid-19 vaccine. Shots were fired around 5 pm, prompting Emory University to issue an active shooter alert near the Emergy Point CVS on campus that urged students to “run” and “hide.” The gunman also stormed a CVS located on the university campus. Bullet holes were visible in the windows of the CDC building, which is located adjacent to the university.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the suspect fired multiple rounds at officers outside the facility, which also houses a daycare facility. All children inside were unharmed. 

The DeKalb County Police Department confirmed Rose’s death in a statement, saying he “served DeKalb County with courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication. Even in the face of danger he was diligent in his duty to protect our community.”

Rose is survived by his pregnant wife and two children. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said, “This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father. There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss. Let’s join together to give this family the support it needs during this traumatic loss.”