By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
Atlanta is reeling after a tragic shooting Friday afternoon near the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Emory University claimed the life of 33-year-old DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose.
Authorities say the incident began around 4:50 p.m. when 911 calls reported an active shooter on Clifton Road, directly outside the CDC campus. Both the CDC’s Roybal Campus and nearby Emory University went into lockdown as officers responded.
Officer Rose, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who joined the DeKalb County Police Department in September and graduated from its academy in March, was found critically injured at the scene. He was rushed to Emory University Hospital, where he later died. Rose leaves behind his wife, two daughters, and an unborn son.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said gunfire was also reported inside a CVS Pharmacy at a retail and apartment complex near the CDC. Officers entered the building and found the suspect, identified by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia, on the second floor with gunshot wounds. He later died from his injuries. Officials have yet to determine whether he was shot by police or himself.
Four CDC buildings were struck during the shooting, though no CDC staff or visitors were harmed. The agency has announced that all employees will work remotely on Monday to allow a security assessment.
While authorities have not confirmed a motive, a neighbor told NBC News that White had repeatedly expressed anti-vaccine beliefs and claimed the COVID-19 vaccine had made him ill. The investigation remains ongoing, with the FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisting.
Governor Brian Kemp, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, and CDC Director Susan Monarez have all issued statements mourning Officer Rose’s death and condemning the violence. Law enforcement leaders praised Rose’s bravery, calling his actions a testament to his dedication to public safety.
This shooting comes just two days after another high-profile gun attack in Georgia, at Fort Stewart, which left five service members injured.
Newspot Nigeria commiserates with Officer David Rose’s family, friends, and colleagues, and extends heartfelt condolences to the DeKalb County Police Department and the Atlanta community during this time of grief.
