Police officer fatally shot during CDC incident was previously a Marine and a father of two children.
In a shocking turn of events, DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was killed on August 8, 2025, during a shooting near the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta.
The attack, which occurred around 5 p.m., was carried out by 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White from Kennesaw, GA. White opened fire near the CDC Roybal Campus, firing over 500 rounds and shattering more than 150 windows across six buildings.
Officer Rose, who had been with the DeKalb County Police Department for just 11 months, was responding to the attack when he was tragically killed. White, who was stopped initially by CDC security, then drove to a nearby CVS pharmacy where he started shooting from the sidewalk, targeting even “blast-resistant” windows of the CDC buildings.
CDC employees had to shelter in place for hours during the attack. Fortunately, no CDC employees were physically injured, but the emotional impact was significant.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stating that the motive of the gunman is still unknown. However, documents found at White’s home indicated he harbored grievances related to the COVID-19 vaccine, believing he had suffered negative health effects from it. Neighbors corroborated that White held long-term resentment associated with COVID-19 vaccine policies.
Officer Rose, a former Marine, quickly earned the respect of his colleagues for his dedication, courage, and professionalism. He and his wife were expecting their third child later this year. Gov. Brian Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, and the Kemp family are among those mourning Officer Rose's death.
Director Susan Monarez of the CDC made a post regarding the shooting at the CDC headquarters, and no funeral arrangements for Officer David Rose have been announced as of yet. The shooting incident reflects wider concerns about violence driven by opposition to pandemic measures.
[1] Atlanta Journal-Constitution. (2025, August 9). DeKalb County police officer killed in shooting near CDC. Retrieved from https://www.ajc.com/news/local/dekalb-county-police-officer-killed-shooting-near-cdc/
[2] WSB-TV. (2025, August 9). DeKalb County police officer killed in shooting near CDC. Retrieved from https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/dekalb-county-police-officer-killed-shooting-near-cdc/
[3] CNN. (2025, August 9). DeKalb County police officer killed in shooting near CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/09/us/dekalb-county-police-officer-killed-shooting-near-cdc/index.html
[4] New York Times. (2025, August 9). DeKalb County police officer killed in shooting near CDC. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/09/us/dekalb-county-police-officer-killed-shooting-near-cdc.html
[5] Washington Post. (2025, August 9). DeKalb County police officer killed in shooting near CDC. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-news/2025/08/09/dekalb-county-police-officer-killed-shooting-near-cdc/
- The tragic shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta has sparked discussion in the realm of politics and general news, with many questioning the safety measures in place amidst such incidents, particularly those driven by opposition to pandemic measures.
- Reports of the shooting near the CDC, which resulted in the death of Officer David Rose, have also brought crime-and-justice concerns into the forefront, as the motive behind the attack and the lack of immediate answers regarding the shooter's intentions continue to create uncertainty.
