Officials ID suspect in fatal attack near CDC, Emory University
Authorities have released more information after a shooter opened fire on Centers for Disease Control buildings near Emory University in Atlanta, killing a police officer and leaving questions about motive.
The shooting occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 8, prompting a "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” alert from Emory University as the suspect fired on four CDC buildings, officials said. Officials said the suspected shooter and an officer died.
The officer killed was identified as 33-year-old DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, officials said. He was killed while responding to the shooting. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in an update on Aug. 9 that Patrick Joseph White, 30, of Kennesaw, Georgia, was the suspected shooter.
Authorities said they found the suspect dead from a gunshot wound on the second floor of a building that includes a CVS store. It wasn’t clear if the wound was self-inflicted or from law enforcement’s returned fire. No other people died in the shooting.
It was the second high-profile shooting to rock Georgians in recent days. On Aug. 6, an Army sergeant used a personal handgun to shoot five fellow soldiers at the Fort Stewart military base in the eastern part of the state, over 200 miles away from Atlanta.
"Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians," Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement. "Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are."
Here’s what we know:
What happened in the Emory shooting?
Emory officials first gave the alert of an active shooter at about 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 8. A shelter-in-place order was lifted about two hours later.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the shooting suspect also fired at law enforcement.
No civilians were injured, authorities said.
Did the suspect fire at CDC buildings?
Authorities said the shooting happened on Clifton Road, across the street from the main entrance to the CDC's largest building.
CDC Director Susan Monarez said in a statement that at least four buildings were fired upon by the suspect.
"Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC. We are actively coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to fully investigate the shooter and this tragic crime," Monarez said.
The CDC Roybal Campus is located on Clifton Road, on land that was gifted by Emory University for a token payment of $10 in 1947. The university and CDC campuses are intertwined, maps show.
University officials thanked first responders and said they were mourning the loss of the officer.
"This morning we are also thinking about our colleagues at the CDC, our Atlanta campus neighbor and the professional home of many of our alumni and other members of our broader community. Emory and the CDC have long worked side by side to pursue and promote public health for citizens across our state, country, and world," said Leah Ward Sears, interim president-elect, and Gregory L. Fenves, president and chancellor-elect of Emory.
The campus will have an increased police presence through the weekend, officials said.
What we know about the officer killed
Rose joined the DeKalb Police Department in September 2024 and served in the North-Central Precinct, officials have said.
He was a father of two with a third child on the way, county officials said.
"This evening there is a wife without a husband, there are three children, one unborn, without a father," DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said. "There is a mother and father as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss."
Police Chief Gregory Padrick described his actions as the embodiment of public service.
"This officer responded to the call as he did, as he was trained to do, and during that incident he received gunfire and he lost his life in this incident. He was committed to serving the community," Padrick said. "It’s a noble profession we all do. We answer the call to serve our community and he gave his life with a commitment to serve others."
What was the motive for the shooting?
Authorities have not released a potential motive for the shooting.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the suspect was a white male “known to have interest in some certain things,” without elaborating further.