ATLANTA — A 30-year-old man has been identified as the suspect in the shooting outside Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) building in Atlanta that left a DeKalb County police officer dead on Friday.
The incident ended with he active shooter also dead, though details of the accused shooter’s death were not released.
Here are the latest details.
The incident began around 4:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8, when reports came in of an active shooter near the CDC Atlanta campus and Emory Point shopping area.
According to DeKalb County officials, Officer David Rose was the first to respond to the Atlanta shooting. He encountered the gunman near the CDC’s Roybal Campus and came under immediate fire. Rose was fatally wounded. Another officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses say White fired toward multiple CDC buildings before entering the Emory Point CVS store. Inside, a gunfight took place on the second floor between the suspect and the police. The shooter died at the scene.
Officials have not confirmed whether White died from police gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.
Rose, 33, joined the DeKalb County Police Department in September 2024 and worked at the North Central precinct. He had recently graduated from the police academy. He leaves behind his wife, two children and a third child on the way.
“This officer responded to the call as he was trained to do,” Interim Chief Greg Padrick said. “He was committed to serving the community.”
GBI identified the Emory University shooter as Patrick Joseph White, 30, of Kennesaw, Georgia. CNN, citing unnamed sources, previously reported that White’s family believed he targeted the CDC because of an illness he blamed on the COVID-19 vaccine. Law enforcement has not confirmed a motive.
Multiple agencies responded, including Atlanta Police, DeKalb County Police, Emory Police, Georgia State Patrol, FBI, GBI, ATF, Gwinnett County Police, Brookhaven Police, Chamblee Police, Dunwoody Police, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Emory University Hospital and campus buildings were placed on lockdown. The CDC Atlanta campus also went under lockdown, and children at the on-site daycare were safely evacuated and reunited with families.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed several CDC windows were damaged by gunfire. No civilians were injured.
The GBI said there is extensive evidence to process due to the complex scene and that numerous interviews are being conducted. The investigation will take an extended period of time.
People in the area reported hearing rapid gunfire and seeing a large police presence. Helicopters hovered overhead as officers blocked roads near Emory University and the CDC.
- Gov. Brian Kemp, Attorney General Chris Carr, and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath offered condolences.
- The CDC described the incident as an “attack” on its campus.
- DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said, “There is a wife without a husband, and three children — one unborn — without a father.”
Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians. Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.
Marty, the girls, and I are thankful for all those who answer the…
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) August 8, 2025
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the case. No details have been announced for Officer Rose’s funeral.
