Gunfire incident leads to an officer's demise; the culprit apprehended close to the CDC facility and Emory University grounds
A tragic shooting incident occurred near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters and Emory University campus in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday afternoon, August 8, 2025. One police officer, David Rose, was killed, and the suspected shooter, Patrick Joseph White, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting started at 4:50 p.m., prompting a shelter-in-place order at the university and a lockdown at the CDC headquarters. The gunfire broke out on the CDC campus, with the suspect firing more than 500 shots and shattering over 150 windows across several buildings. CDC security guards managed to stop the suspect before he could drive to a CVS pharmacy across the street, where he opened fire from a sidewalk, targeting the CDC's Roybal Campus.
Patrick White, a 30-year-old man from Kennesaw, Georgia, was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun. Investigations by the FBI Atlanta and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation revealed that White was discontent and angry about COVID-19 vaccinations, believing the vaccine caused him depression and suicidal thoughts. White's family also confirmed that he had been upset over the death of the family dog and had prior mental health struggles, including previous police calls for suicide threats.
Fortunately, no civilians were shot during the incident, but four people were transported to an area hospital for stress and anxiety-related reasons in the aftermath of the shooting. CDC employees were not physically injured but sheltered in place for hours during the incident.
CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez shared a statement on Friday night, expressing heartbreak over the attack on the CDC campus. Monarez encouraged CDC staff to prioritize their well-being and seek support as needed. Monday will be a remote workday for all CDC employees.
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, DeKalb County CEO, described the incident as a "dark day" for the county. Officer Rose leaves behind a wife who is pregnant and two children. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp thanked first responders for their actions and asked for prayers for those affected by the incident. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr expressed horror over the news and prayed for the safety of the entire Emory University campus community.
The White House is monitoring the situation. The American Federation of Government Employees union condemned the attack and linked it to vaccine misinformation, emphasizing the danger of disinformation inciting violence against public health officials. The investigation into the incident is expected to take an extended period, given its complexity.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health support and the dangers of misinformation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Officer David Rose and all those affected by this senseless act of violence.
[1] Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Gunman kills DeKalb police officer outside CDC headquarters," August 9, 2025.
[2] CNN, "Shooting at CDC headquarters: What we know so far," August 9, 2025.
[3] NBC News, "Police officer killed in shooting near CDC headquarters in Atlanta," August 9, 2025.
[4] Associated Press, "Suspect in CDC shooting had history of mental health struggles," August 10, 2025.
[5] Washington Post, "CDC shooting: Union condemns attack, links it to vaccine misinformation," August 10, 2025.
- In the aftermath of the tragic shooting near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters, several news outlets reported on the event, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN, NBC News, and the Associated Press.
- As the investigation into the shooting at the CDC headquarters unfolds, the American Federation of Government Employees union has condemned the attack and linked it to vaccine misinformation, expressing concerns about the dangers of disinformation inciting violence against public health officials.
- In an interview with Washington Post, CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez shared her thoughts on the shooting, emphasizing the importance of mental health support and the role it could have played in preventing such a senseless act of violence. Additionally, the interview delved into the potential link between the suspect's discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations and his mental health struggles.
