Georgia mourns officer David Rose, killed responding to CDC shooting

DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, 33, was fatally shot while responding to an active shooter near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Emory University. The rookie officer, a former U.S. Marine, died at Emory University Hospital after sustaining critical injuries in the line of duty.

Georgia mourns officer David Rose

Rose had joined the DeKalb County Police Department in September 2024. He graduated from the academy in March 2025 as class leader. Assigned to the North Central Precinct, he quickly earned the respect of his peers for his courage, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to public service.

Massing shooting claims office David Rose’s life

The shooting unfolded around 4:50 p.m. when the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, opened fire from inside a CVS Pharmacy across from the CDC campus. Gunshots struck at least four CDC buildings, prompting lockdowns across Emory University, Emory Hospital, and nearby schools and daycares. Authorities later found White dead on the second floor of the CVS. It remains unclear whether his fatal wound was self-inflicted or the result of police gunfire.

“Officer Rose bravely responded to the active shooter incident and lost his life while protecting so many others,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “His passing is a stark reminder that every day, law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, and this dedication deserves our respect and gratitude”.

Before joining the police force, Rose served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a deployment to Afghanistan. He also briefly worked as a jailer for the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.

Profound loss for the community

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson expressed the depth of the loss: “This evening there’s a wife without a husband, three children—one unborn—without a father, and a mother and father as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss”.

Flags across DeKalb County will fly at half-staff in honor of Officer Rose’s sacrifice. Memorial arrangements are forthcoming.

As the investigation continues, the motive behind the shooting remains unknown. However, early reports suggest the suspect may have harbored anti-vaccine conspiracy beliefs, potentially targeting the CDC.

Officer David Rose is the 13th DeKalb County officer to die by gunfire in the line of duty. His legacy, marked by valor and service, leaves an indelible impact on the community he served.