A Day of Horror at the CDC
ATLANTA, GA — The streets near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention turned into a war zone last Friday when 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White opened fire, sending shockwaves through the heart of Georgia. Armed with rifles, a shotgun, and possibly a handgun — all taken from a secured safe belonging to his father — White forced his way inside and unleashed nearly 500 rounds, striking six CDC buildings.
In the chaos, DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was fatally shot while bravely responding to the attack. Law enforcement officers on scene described the terrifying sound of rapid gunfire echoing across the area as shell casings littered the ground. By the time it ended, Officer Rose had made the ultimate sacrifice, and White had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Investigation and Troubling History
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, alongside the FBI, revealed new details in a Tuesday press conference. Investigators recovered 500 shell casings from the scene and confirmed that nearly 200 bullets struck federal buildings. White, who had no prior criminal convictions, had been the subject of multiple 911 calls in Cobb County for suicidal threats and domestic disturbances.
During a search of his residence, agents found written documents expressing White’s deep discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations. Authorities are now piecing together how mental health struggles, personal grievances, and access to high-powered firearms culminated in such deadly violence.
Honoring a Fallen Hero
In the aftermath, law enforcement leaders turned their focus to remembering Officer David Rose. GBI Director Chris Hosey called his death “a profound testament to the very best of the law enforcement profession,” while Special Agent in Charge Brown described him as a man who “died a hero protecting his community.”
Officer Rose’s loss has left an empty space in the hearts of his family, friends, and colleagues. Known for his courage, kindness, and unwavering dedication, he leaves behind a legacy of service that will be honored for years to come. His death is a painful reminder of the risks officers take every day to protect the public — and of the devastating cost when violence erupts without warning.
As the investigation continues, Atlanta grieves. The shooting at the CDC stands as one of the most shocking acts of violence the city has faced in recent years — not only for its scale but for the senseless loss of a hero who answered the call when his community needed him most.
