Gunman Opens Fire at CDC Headquarters, Killing a Deputy and Injuring Others

A man identified as Patrick Joseph White, 30, from Kennesaw, Georgia, was involved in a shooting incident at the CDC headquarters and nearby locations. He fired multiple shots at the health agency and then entered a CVS pharmacy on the Emory University campus in Atlanta.

During the chaos, Dekalb County police officer David Rose, 33, responded to the scene and was fatally shot. Rose, a new officer who joined the department in September 2024, was transported to Emory University Hospital but did not survive his injuries. He leaves behind a pregnant wife and two children.

The gunman was also shot during the incident, though authorities have not confirmed whether his injuries were self-inflicted. He was armed with a long gun, and investigators recovered three additional firearms from the scene.

Police reports suggest the suspect targeted the CDC, allegedly blaming his illness—possibly related to the COVID-19 vaccine—for his actions. Multiple rounds were exchanged between the shooter and responding officers, with bullets hitting several of the CDC’s buildings and a police vehicle. Photos show bullet holes in windows and doors, with at least four CDC buildings struck during the barrage.

The alert issued by Emory University warned students to run and hide as the campus went into lockdown. Law enforcement agencies responded swiftly, prioritizing containment and rescue. The CDC campus, which also contains a daycare with 92 children, was placed on high alert but fortunately, no children or civilians outside law enforcement were injured.

Authorities described the scene as complex, with extensive evidence collection underway. The investigation remains ongoing, with interviews and evidence analysis expected to take significant time. The community mourns Officer Rose’s loss and prays for the recovery of all affected.