CDC shooting under investigation

A gunman opened fire near the CDC and Emory campuses, killing a police officer before dying by suicide.

Over 500 rounds fired in CDC shooting guns traced to suspect's father

An hours long incident at the CDC and Emory area ended after a gunman fired more than 500 rounds Friday afternoon. DeKalb County police Officer David Rose, 33, was killed in the line of duty as authorities confronted the shooter, later identified as White. Investigators say White believed his back pain worsened after a COVID-19 vaccination and that a written document found at his Cobb County home expressed discontent with vaccines. The attack prompted a major law enforcement response and forced evacuations from the campus area; nearly 200 rounds struck the CDC buildings but officials say there were no other victims. The shooter died by a self-inflicted gunshot after officers located him at the scene.

After authorities identified White, investigators said the gun used had been taken from his father. The shooter reportedly had no known criminal history, and relatives cooperated with the probe. The FBI and GBI conducted room by room checks of the CDC campus to ensure no additional victims, and a photo of White from his driver license was released to the public. Public memorials formed for Rose, and a fundraising page for his family grew quickly as funeral arrangements were updated.

The incident highlights the vulnerability of high profile health and research campuses to violence and the ways personal grievances can escalate into mass harm. It also underscores gaps between health policy debates and public safety, especially when health measures become targets of violence. At the same time, the response shows how agencies work together under pressure, from local police to federal detectives, to evacuate people and secure a space without additional harm. The case raises questions about gun access, threat assessment, and mental health support as part of preventing similar events. Finally, it points to the fragility of community trust when a frontline protector is lost and supporters mobilize through memorials and fundraisers.

Highlights

Safety and accountability will be watched closely by communities near health facilities.