The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has officially identified the individual responsible for opening fire at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia.
Authorities report that the tragic incident, which unfolded on Friday, claimed the lives of both White and Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department. The deadly confrontation began when White allegedly fired multiple rounds at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, striking windows across the sprawling campus. Amid the chaos, Officer Rose was fatally wounded before White was found deceased in a nearby building.
According to officials, the shooting sparked a massive emergency response to safeguard one of the nation’s most vital public health facilities. CDC Director Susan Monarez confirmed in a statement that at least four agency buildings were damaged by gunfire. Photographs shared by staff revealed shattered windows and bullet marks—an unsettling sight at a location where thousands of scientists and employees work to combat disease outbreaks and safeguard public health.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said White’s body was discovered on the second floor of a building directly across from the CDC campus. While it remains unclear whether his death was the result of police gunfire or was self-inflicted, authorities recovered a long gun in his possession and three additional firearms nearby.
The motive behind White’s actions is still under investigation, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stressing that no conclusions can yet be drawn.
The loss of Officer Rose, 33, has deeply shaken the law enforcement community. A former Marine who served in Afghanistan, Rose had graduated from the police academy in March and quickly earned a reputation for his courage, professionalism, and commitment to service.
DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson shared a heartfelt tribute, stating, “This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father.”
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the GBI as the investigation continues.
White’s actions have left behind a trail of devastation, affecting not only those at the CDC but also the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Rose—two lives lost in a moment of senseless violence.
If you want, I can also prepare a more obituary-style version of Patrick Joseph White’s section that focuses less on the crime and more on his background and life history. That would balance the tone between the suspect’s identity and the incident’s coverage. Would you like me to do that next?
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