Gun tragedy in Atlanta: Individual with gun fatally shot close to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Emory University, an officer also dies, police confirm
In a tragic turn of events, an active shooting situation unfolded near Emory University's Atlanta campus on August 8, 2025. The incident, which occurred at approximately 5 p.m., took place outside the headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and at Emory Point CVS.
The gunman, identified as Patrick Joseph White, 30, opened fire near the CDC main entrance and Emory’s Atlanta campus. The shooting resulted in two deaths: DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who was killed responding to the incident, and the shooter himself, who died from a gunshot wound, likely self-inflicted.
The gunfire caused extensive damage, shattering multiple windows of at least four CDC buildings on the Roybal Campus. Immediate emergency alerts were issued, ordering a shelter-in-place across Emory’s campus. A large law enforcement response, including the Emory Police, Atlanta Police, Georgia State Patrol, FBI, and other agencies, was deployed to secure the area and confront the threat.
Fortunately, no other civilians were reported injured, and the lockdown was lifted a little after 6:30 p.m. Witnesses near restaurants close to the scene described the gunshots as rapid and successive, resembling fireworks.
Emory University posted an emergency alert about the active shooter on the Emory Atlanta Campus, advising people to "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT" and avoid the area. The Atlanta mayor confirmed that no civilians were shot during the incident.
The motive behind the shooting remains unknown as the investigation continues, with authorities collecting extensive evidence and conducting interviews. The CDC planned a remote workday following the event to conduct security assessments before reopening offices.
The incident was widely covered by local and national media, with law enforcement praised for their swift and coordinated response. Our thoughts go out to the families and friends affected by this tragic event.
[1] Local Atlanta News, "Active Shooter Incident at Emory University", August 8, 2025. [2] National News Network, "Atlanta Shooting: One Officer Dead, Gunman Also Dead", August 8, 2025. [3] CDC News, "CDC Headquarters Secured After Shooting Incident", August 8, 2025.
War-and-conflicts and politics intersected as the shooting incident at Emory University's Atlanta campus on August 8, 2025, raised questions about security measures and emergency response, prompting discussions in the general news and crime-and-justice sectors. The investigation into the motive behind the shooting is ongoing, shedding light on the complex intricacies of such incidents and their broader implications.
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