Officer fatally shot outside CDC premises and Emory University campus in Atlanta, resulting in death.
In a shocking turn of events, Atlanta was rocked by an active shooter incident on August 8, 2025, near the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campus and Emory University.
The gunman, identified as Patrick Joseph White, 30, from Kennesaw, Georgia, opened fire in the area, reportedly firing an estimated 500 rounds. The incident resulted in the deaths of the gunman and DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old husband and father of three, including one on the way. No civilians were reported injured, although several CDC buildings, at least four, were hit by gunfire.
The shooting occurred just before 5 p.m., with the incident spreading fear across the community. Law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions responded swiftly, including Emory Police Department officers who confronted the shooter, helping to contain the threat and keep the community safe. The shooter was found dead inside a nearby building, likely from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing with extensive evidence collection and interviews underway by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the FBI Atlanta field office. The CDC declared the following Monday a remote workday to conduct a thorough security assessment before resuming onsite operations. The area was initially placed under shelter-in-place orders, which were lifted about an hour after the shooting began.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed concern over the increasing number of mass shootings in the country. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for their actions in the shooting incidents in the state. The FBI Atlanta has offered assistance in the investigation, and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr expressed horror over the violent attack at Emory University.
As a precaution, Emory University activated its emergency protocols and advised students to shelter in place. A shelter in place order was also issued for the CDC campus, with 92 children remaining sheltered in a daycare on the CDC campus until around 6:30 p.m. Additional gunfire was heard coming from a nearby CVS pharmacy, but no further injuries or suspects have been reported.
Alexandra Koch, a journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events, is following the story closely. CDC Director Susan Monarez expressed heartbreak over the events and commended local law enforcement for their response. The community continues to mourn the loss of Officer Rose and process the impact of this violent event.
- In light of the recent shooting incident in Atlanta, Alexandra Koch, a journalist specializing in breaking news and high-impact events, is closely following the investigation, which involves politics due to the involvement of Georgia Bureau of Investigations and the FBI Atlanta field office.
- Amidst the breaking news of the shooting, sports and general-news coverage have been briefed to discuss the events that took place near the CDC campus and Emory University, emphasizing the tragic loss of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose and the impact on the community, while crime-and-justice sections analyze the ongoing investigation and potential motives behind the attack.
