Photo: Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Authorities have identified Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Kennesaw, Georgia, as the gunman in Friday's shooting near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. The incident resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old father of two with another child on the way. The shooting occurred at the Emory Point CVS drugstore on Clifton Road, directly across from the CDC's main entrance, just before 5 p.m.
White, who was found dead on the second floor of the CVS, was armed with multiple firearms, including two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun. He reportedly opened fire on the CDC buildings, striking at least four of them, as confirmed by CDC Director Susan Monarez. The motive remains unclear, but sources suggest White may have been motivated by personal health concerns related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
The shooting prompted a massive law enforcement response and put the surrounding area, including Emory University, on lockdown. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the ongoing investigation, which is expected to take time due to the complex scene and extensive evidence.
Officer Rose, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, was remembered for his dedication and courage. "This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father," said DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. The community mourns his loss and honors his sacrifice.