Suspect in Atlanta CDC Shooting Identified as Kennesaw Man

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On August 9, 2025, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) named 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White from Kennesaw, Georgia, as the individual responsible for a deadly shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta. The incident, which claimed the life of a DeKalb County police officer, triggered a significant law enforcement response and left the public health institution reeling.

The shooting unfolded on Friday, August 8, 2025, outside the CDC’s Roybal Campus, where White opened fire, damaging windows across at least four buildings. DeKalb County Police Department Officer David Rose, aged 33, was fatally shot while responding to the scene. Authorities later found White deceased on the second floor of a nearby building, though it remains unclear whether his death resulted from police gunfire or was self-inflicted, according to Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. No other injuries were reported, sparing the thousands of scientists and staff who work at the CDC, a cornerstone of global disease research.

White was armed with a long gun, and law enforcement recovered three additional firearms at the scene, per an official who spoke anonymously due to restrictions on discussing the active investigation. The motive behind White’s actions remains undetermined, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens noting on Friday that the investigation is in its early stages. Dickens described the suspect as someone potentially driven by specific interests, though he provided no further details. Attempts to contact White via a listed phone number were unsuccessful as of Saturday morning.

The fallen officer, David Rose, was a former Marine who served in Afghanistan and had recently graduated from the police academy in March 2025. DeKalb County praised Rose for his dedication and professionalism, qualities that earned him swift respect among colleagues. “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, highlighting the personal toll of the tragedy.

CDC Director Susan Monarez expressed grief over the attack, noting in a post on X that the gunfire struck multiple agency buildings, leaving visible damage. Photos shared by CDC employees revealed bullet-pocked windows, underscoring the severity of the assault on a facility critical to public health. The incident prompted an immediate lockdown of the CDC campus, with Monarez thanking law enforcement for their rapid response in preventing further harm.

The GBI, tasked with leading the investigation, emphasized the complexity of the case, citing extensive evidence and the need for numerous interviews. “This investigation will take an extended period of time,” the agency stated, signaling a thorough effort to uncover the circumstances and motivations behind the shooting. The attack, occurring near Emory University, heightened local concerns, though the university lifted its lockdown after White was confirmed deceased.

This tragedy marks a somber moment for Atlanta, as the loss of Officer Rose and the assault on a vital institution reverberate through the community. The investigation continues to seek answers about why White targeted the CDC, with authorities committed to a meticulous process to ensure clarity and justice.