Tragic Shooting Near CDC Headquarters in Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia, August 10, 2025

News Summary

A shooting near the CDC headquarters in Atlanta has resulted in the death of Officer David Rose. The suspect, Patrick Joseph White, was found dead at the scene. The incident has raised concerns about increasing hostility towards public health institutions, particularly vaccine skepticism. Officer Rose was responding to reports of an active shooter when he was critically injured. Community grief is palpable over the loss of the young officer, who leaves behind a family.

Atlanta, Georgia – A tragic shooting incident occurred on August 8, 2025, near the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), resulting in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, age 33. The suspected shooter, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White from Kennesaw, Georgia, was found dead at the scene.

The event unfolded around 4:50 p.m. local time, with law enforcement receiving multiple 911 calls reporting an active shooter situation. Officer Rose responded to the scene and was critically injured during the encounter. He was later pronounced dead at Emory University Hospital. Officer Rose was a married father of two children, with a third on the way. His passing has prompted an outpouring of grief from the community.

White was reportedly armed with two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun, and witnesses described hearing what initially sounded like fireworks. The investigation initiated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed that White had previously expressed distrust towards vaccines, sharing his beliefs with neighbors. He had claimed to suffer from an illness linked to the COVID-19 vaccine.

During the shooting, White targeted the CDC campus, firing at buildings and law enforcement personnel. Fortunately, no injuries to civilians were recorded, including the 92 children in a daycare located on CDC grounds, which authorities confirmed were all safe. Following the incident, the lockdown of the CDC campus was lifted in the evening, indicating no further threat.

After the shooting, White was located on the second floor of a nearby CVS store, where he was found with gunshot wounds. It remains unclear whether these wounds were self-inflicted or resulted from police fire. Earlier in the day, White’s father had contacted law enforcement, expressing concerns about his son’s suicidal tendencies.

Officer David Rose had joined the DeKalb County Police Department in September 2024 and had been serving at the North-Central Precinct. The shooting is being viewed within the context of increasing hostility towards public health institutions, particularly concerning vaccine skepticism. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum has stated that the assault appeared to be targeted towards the CDC.

The director of the CDC expressed heartbreak over the attack and remarked on the dedicated service of law enforcement in protecting the community. The incident has ignited conversations regarding public health safety and the societal challenges surrounding vaccine-related skepticism.

Related Information

• Date of Incident: August 8, 2025
• Location: Near CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia
• Offender: Patrick Joseph White, 30
• Victim: Officer David Rose, 33
• Arms Used: Two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun
• Children in Daycare: All 92 were safe
• Investigation: Conducted by Georgia Bureau of Investigation
• Context: Increased hostility towards public health institutions

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Additional Resources

• CNN: Active Shooter at Emory University
• USA Today: Active Shooter Incident
• 11Alive: DeKalb Police Officer Killed
• BBC News: Shooting Incident Overview
• Fox 5 Atlanta: CDC Active Shooter
• Wikipedia: Active Shooter
• Google Search: Emory University Shooting
• Google Scholar: Active Shooter Incidents
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Active Shooter
• Google News: Emory University Shooter

Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER

The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.