• Police identify 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White as the shooter in the CDC and Emory University attack.
• Officer David Rose, 33, was killed while responding to the gunfire.
• Multiple CDC buildings and a police cruiser were hit before the suspect was found dead.

The man who unleashed a storm of bullets outside the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before gunning down a police officer on Emory University’s campus has been named by Georgia authorities as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White.

The Kennesaw resident’s violent outburst on Friday left an entire city shaken and a young family without their husband and father.

A Hail of Bullets Outside a Federal Health Agency

It was just before 5 p.m. when White arrived near the CDC’s main campus in Atlanta. Witnesses say the sound of rapid gunfire shattered the late-afternoon calm.

According to police, White opened fire on the CDC’s buildings with a long gun, striking at least four of them before running toward a nearby CVS pharmacy on Emory University’s campus. The scene erupted into chaos as students and employees were urged to take cover.

Within moments, the area was swarming with officers from local, state, and federal agencies.

Officer David Rose Killed in the Line of Duty

Among those responding was Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old Dekalb County police officer who had joined the department just last September. Rose, known for his dedication and calm demeanor, was on the front lines when the call came in about an active shooter.

He was hit during the confrontation and rushed to Emory University Hospital. Despite desperate efforts by medical staff, Rose was pronounced dead soon after arrival.

“This evening, there is a wife without a husband. Three children—one still unborn—without their father,” said Dekalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson in an emotional news conference. “Our community has lost a hero.”

Rose leaves behind a pregnant wife and two young children.

Suspect’s Death at the Scene

Police later confirmed that White was found shot near the CVS. Authorities have not yet said whether his fatal wound was self-inflicted or the result of return fire. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry, calling it an “extremely complex” scene with a large volume of evidence. Multiple firearms were recovered, including the long gun used in the shooting.

Possible Motive Under Investigation

While police have not officially confirmed a motive, law enforcement sources told CNN that White may have harbored resentment toward the CDC. Interviews with his family reportedly revealed that he had recently fallen ill and blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his condition.

Investigators are now working to determine whether White had any direct connection to the CDC or if his attack was fueled purely by personal anger and conspiracy beliefs.

Panic Across the University and CDC

As gunfire rang out, Emory University issued an immediate emergency alert urging students and staff to “RUN” and “HIDE.” The CDC headquarters was placed on full lockdown, with employees ordered to shelter in place until police secured the area.

Adding to the fear, the university’s daycare center—housing 92 young children—was nearby. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said none of the children or staff were harmed, calling their safety “a miracle in a situation that could have been far worse.”

Buildings and Vehicles Riddled With Bullets

Photos shared on social media captured the aftermath—glass shattered, bullet holes pocking the CDC’s windows, and a police cruiser with at least a dozen rounds lodged in its windshield and hood.

CDC Director Susan Monarez confirmed that four separate buildings were hit during the gunfire.

Community Shaken by Violence

Word of Officer Rose’s death spread rapidly across Dekalb County, triggering an outpouring of grief. Friends, neighbors, and fellow officers remembered him as a man who loved his family and took pride in serving his community.

“This is devastating,” one resident wrote online. “He wore that badge with honor. He didn’t deserve this.”

Others expressed shock that such a brazen attack could happen in broad daylight, outside one of the country’s most secure health facilities.

Investigation Expected to Take Weeks

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says processing the scene will be a lengthy task. “There is extensive evidence to collect due to the complexity of the incident,” the agency said in a statement. “This investigation will take an extended period of time.”

Authorities are reviewing security camera footage, gathering ballistics evidence, and conducting dozens of interviews to piece together White’s movements before the attack.

Remembering a Fallen Officer

The Dekalb County Police Department released a heartfelt statement praising Rose’s “courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication” to the job. Outside the department’s headquarters, residents have begun leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes.

One card left near the entrance read: “You protected us until your last breath. Rest easy, hero.”

A City Searching for Answers

Atlanta has seen violent incidents before, but the brazen nature of this shooting—targeting both a major federal agency and a busy university—has left many uneasy. Parents of Emory students have expressed concern over campus safety, while local leaders have promised to review security measures.

For now, the focus remains on supporting Officer Rose’s grieving family and uncovering what drove Patrick Joseph White to commit such a devastating act.

As one resident put it: “We may never understand the why. But we will never forget the who—David Rose, a man who gave everything for this community.”