Shock and Tragedy at CDC Headquarters - Officer Killed, Gunman Identified

It was an ordinary Friday morning at one of America’s most secure public health institutions until chaos erupted. Bullets ripped through the windows of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, sending scientists and staff scrambling for safety.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has now identified the gunman as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia. Authorities say White opened fire outside the CDC headquarters, hitting at least four buildings before killing Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department.

White was later found dead on the second floor of a building across the street from the CDC campus. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed the shooter was armed with a long gun, and investigators recovered three other firearms at the scene. The cause of his death whether by police fire or self-inflicted remains under investigation.

CDC Director Susan Monarez confirmed the extent of the damage, sharing that bullet-pocked windows were visible across multiple buildings. Images from employees show shattered glass and gaping holes in the walls a chilling reminder of the sudden violence that struck a hub of disease research and public health work.

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While no other injuries have been reported, the attack has left the CDC community and the nation shaken. The motive behind the shooting is still unclear.

💔 One officer gone, a community forever changed. This wasn’t just an attack on a building it was an attack on the very people who work every day to protect the health of millions.