Suspect Identified in Atlanta Shooting Near CDC and Emory University

Investigators have identified the man responsible for the shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention buildings near Emory University in Atlanta, which left a police officer dead.

The shooting occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 8, prompting a campus-wide “run, hide, fight” alert from Emory University. CDC Director Susan Monarez confirmed that at least four CDC buildings were hit by gunfire.

In an update on Aug. 9, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation named Patrick Joseph White, 30, of Kennesaw, Georgia, as the suspected shooter.

Authorities previously reported finding him dead from a gunshot wound on the second floor of a building that houses a CVS store. It remains unclear whether the wound was self-inflicted, or the result of return fire from police officers.

The Bureau has not released a possible motive for the shooting and noted that the investigation is expected to take some time.

“There is extensive evidence to collect due to the complex scene,” the agency stated.

“Numerous interviews are being conducted. This investigation will take an extended period of time.”

Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

The fallen officer was identified on Aug. 9 as 33-year-old DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose.

Rose was on the scene responding to the active shooter threat. Authorities said they are reviewing video footage to determine if he was the first officer to arrive after the call came in. Later-arriving officers found Rose critically injured and rushed him to Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died.

Rose is survived by his pregnant wife and two other children, according to DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

“This evening there is a wife without a husband, there are three children—one unborn—without a father,” Cochran-Johnson said at the Aug. 8 press conference.

“There is a mother and father as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss.”

DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick praised Rose’s dedication to public service.

“This officer responded to the call as he did, as he was trained to do, and during that incident, he received gunfire and he lost his life in this incident. He was committed to serving the community,” Padrick said at a separate press conference.

“It’s a noble profession we all do. We answer the call to serve our community, and he gave his life with a commitment to serve others.”

“At this time, we are asking for the community’s prayers for his family, his friends, his loved ones, and the entire DeKalb County Police Department family.”

No other individuals were killed or injured in the shootout.

A Week of Violence in Georgia

This incident marks the second high-profile shooting to rock the state of Georgia in a week.

On Aug. 6, a U.S. Army sergeant is accused of shooting and injuring five fellow soldiers at the Fort Stewart military base, located over 200 miles from Atlanta in the eastern part of the state. He was tackled and subdued by other unarmed soldiers before he could cause further injuries.

“Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement.

“Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are.”