CDC shooting response update

The shooter opened fire from across the street at the CDC headquarters, mortally wounding a DeKalb County officer and prompting a wide police response.

Suspect named in CDC shooting at Atlanta campus

ATLANTA The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw as the man who opened fire at the CDC headquarters from across the street. White died at the scene, and Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department was killed during Friday's attack. The gunman fired into multiple CDC buildings, leaving windows shattered and bullet casings on the sidewalk outside a nearby CVS pharmacy. The assault drew a large law enforcement response to one of the nation's leading public health campuses. Four CDC buildings were hit, and viewers on social media showed windows with projectiles afters the strike. The CVS store remained closed Saturday morning, with a visible bullet hole in its front door. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said White was a “known person that may have, some interest in certain things.” The gunman died at the scene, and police Chief Darin Schierbaum said investigators did not yet know whether the death was from officers or self-inflicted. Authorities recovered the gunman’s long gun and three other firearms at the scene. Mayor Dickens cautioned that motive remained unclear. The GBI is leading the investigation and noted the complex scene will require time to unravel, with extensive evidence and numerous interviews still to come.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of high-profile public institutions and the strain on local emergency response networks. It also raises questions about how campuses and federal facilities balance open research environments with security needs. The case could influence local discussions about safety protocols at government sites and the level of public scrutiny over gun violence and institutional protection. As investigators gather facts, communities will watch for motive, but the bigger question is whether typical security measures can deter similar attacks in the future.

Highlights

The investigation will continue as authorities piece together the moments after the shooting.