CDC shooting in Atlanta: What we know about suspect's possible motive, officer killed
The suspect, Patrick Joseph White, 30, may have been disgruntled over vaccine side effects before perpetrating the shooting, according to multiple reports.
David Rose, a DeKalb County police officer, was killed while responding to the scene, authorities said. White also died in the shooting. No civilians were injured, according to authorities.
Here's what to know so far.
What happened in the CDC campus shooting?
At around 4:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 8, Emory University officials first announced there was an "active shooter" at the CVS store on campus.
The university-wide alert urged people to, "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area." The Atlanta campus is intertwined with the CDC's buildings.
The suspect fired on four CDC buildings, CDC Director Susan Monarez said. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the shooting suspect also fired at law enforcement.
"Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC. We are actively coordinating with federal, state and local partners to fully investigate the shooter and this tragic crime," Monarez said in a statement. "We are deeply grateful to Governor Kemp, Georgia residents and the American people for standing with us during this difficult time."
University officials lifted the shelter in place order at about 6:30 p.m.
Who was killed in Emory shooting? Police officer had growing family
DeKalb County Officer David Rose, 33, died in the shooting, officials said.
Rose left behind two children and a wife who was pregnant with their third child, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said.
Police Chief Gregory Padrick said Rose joined the department in September 2024 and served the North-Central precinct.
"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. "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."
What we know about shooting suspect's possible motive
Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations said it is investigating the shooting, including White's possible motive. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said Aug. 8 that he "fired at law enforcement and potentially the CDC."
White was found dead on the second floor of a building across the street from the CDC campus, but it remains unclear whether he was shot by law enforcement or whether his wounds were self inflicted.
The 30-year-old suspect was fixated on the idea that the COVID-19 vaccine caused him to become depressed and suicidal, the Associated Press, CNN and ABC News reported, citing law enforcement sources.
'He was very unsettled, and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people,' Nancy Hoalst, one of White's neighbors, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 'He emphatically believed that.'
Contributing: Michael Loria, Anthony Robledo, Lauren Villagran, Jeanine Santucci, Christopher Cann
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
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