Patrick Joseph White Identified as Gunman in CDC Shooting: Motive Still Unknown

Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old man from Kennesaw, Georgia, is suspected of killing two people, including a police officer, in a shooting near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campus in Atlanta. The motive behind the attack is unknown, and the investigation is ongoing. White was found dead in a nearby building. The CDC director, Susan Monarez, has called the shooting an "attack on our Roybal Campus" and has announced a remote workday on Monday to conduct a security assessment.

Atlanta, Ga. — Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old man from Kennesaw, Georgia, has been identified as the suspect in a shooting incident near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campus in Atlanta. The incident resulted in the death of DeKalb County police officer David Rose and White himself. The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.

The shooting occurred on Friday afternoon when police were called to the CVS at Emory Point, a mixed-use development surrounded by Emory University's campus. DeKalb County police officer David Rose, 33, was shot and killed during the encounter. The shooter, Patrick Joseph White, was armed with a long gun and authorities recovered three additional firearms at the scene [1].

The CDC campus, located across the street from the CVS, sustained significant damage with at least four buildings hit by bullets. CDC Director Susan Monarez described the incident as an "attack on our Roybal Campus" and announced a remote workday for Monday to conduct a security assessment [2].

White was found dead in a nearby building, but it is unclear whether he was shot by officers or died by suicide. His motive is still under investigation, but his family reportedly told officers that he believed he was sick and blamed the illness on the COVID-19 vaccine [3].

The incident prompted a massive law enforcement response and led to the closure of nearby roads. Local, state, and federal officers swarmed the scene, with photos showing bullet holes in the windows of the CDC's buildings.

The shooting has raised concerns about public safety and the security of critical public health institutions. The CDC's director has emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure environment for the thousands of scientists and staff who work on critical disease research.

References:
[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/08/09/nx-s1-5497178/cdc-atlanta-emory-shooting-suspect-named
[2] https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/08/09/gunman-killed-near-emory-university-cdc-identified/
[3] https://nypost.com/2025/08/09/us-news/patrick-joseph-white-idd-as-cdc-shooter-who-killed-cop-on-emory-university-campus/