Latest news with #LorraineCochranJohnson
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Police officer killed in firefight with CDC gunman was dad of two with a third on the way
A police officer slain by a gunman targeting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta Friday was expecting his third child. David Rose, 33, leaves behind two children and a pregnant wife and had only joined the Dekalb County Police Department in September. Rose succumbed to his injuries in hospital after being shot during a firefight with the gunman, who was firing wildly at CDC buildings near Emory University. Heavy police response: Officers set up a blockade of a road near the CDC, where several buildings took fire 'This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said during a press conference. 'There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss. Let's join together to give this family the support it needs.' The officer was suffering from critical injuries when he was located at the scene as gunfire erupted from the CVS located at Emory Point, a mixed-used development across the street from the CDC headquarters. The shooter was located on the floor above the CVS and died during a firefight with police. It wasn't immediately clear if his injuries were from officers or if they were self-inflicted. He was identified Saturday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White from Kennesaw, Georgia. 'There is extensive evidence to collect due to the complex scene,' a statement from the bureau noted. 'Numerous interviews are being conducted. This investigation will take an extended period of time.' CNN reported that the shooter's family members spoke to law enforcement and told them that he blamed his recent illness on the Covid-19 vaccine, which was pushed by the CDC. CDC Director Susan Monarez, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recognized Rose's death as a brave sacrifice. In a statement, Dekalb County said that Rose was a former Marine who served in Afghanistan. Police said he graduated from the police academy in March and 'quickly earned the respect of his colleagues for his dedication, courage and professionalism.' 'This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said. The shooter is believed to have been targeting the CDC, not nearby Emory University. Emory University students began hearing gunshots late Friday afternoon. Eventually, the university sent out a desperate alert at around 4:50pm pleading with students to 'RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.' A little over two hours after the alert was sent out, Atlanta Police confirmed the shooter was dead. 'There is no ongoing threat to the Emory Campus or the surrounding neighborhood. The incident involved a single shooter, who is now deceased,' Atlanta Police said in a statement. No civilians were shot throughout the course of the attack, said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The shooting ended at the CVS, but bullets from the shooter's gun hit at least four buildings that are part of the CDC's headquarters. A photo shared to social media showed at least two bullet holes in two separate windows. A CDC employee told CNN that he saw a man approach the steps in front of the building, pull out a rifle and open fire. Law enforcement officials said the shooter had four different weapons — two hand guns, one rifle and one shotgun — and was wearing what looked to be a surgical mask. The CDC ultimately wasn't breached. At around 10pm ET, the CDC gave its employees the all-clear order via text message. 'Local law enforcement continues to clear Roybal Campus buildings but has determined that there is no longer a threat to CDC staff,' the text message read. Roughly 92 children were at the employee daycare at the CDC campus, which had parents panicking since they weren't allowed to immediately go pick them up because of shelter-in-place orders. When the all-clear order was given roughly five hours after the shooting began, that's when the children were finally reunited with their parents.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Officer killed in attack near Emory University leaves behind growing family
He was a father with a growing family and a DeKalb County police officer before a gunman opened fire near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta. The officer was the sole casualty of the attack on Aug. 8 that ended with the suspected gunman found dead on the second story of a building housing a CVS. The shooter died at the scene from a gunshot wound. It was unclear if it came from officers or was self-inflicted. DeKalb County officials said the officer died responding to the attack. They did not release his name but revealed a few details. "This evening there is a wife without a husband, there are three children, one unborn, without a father," DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said. "There is a mother and father as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss." The shooter's motive and target remained unclear late Friday, Aug. 8. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said he "fired at law enforcement and potentially the CDC." Officials did not release the shooter's name but Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said that he was a "white male and he's a person known to have interest in some certain things." Emory officials first announced there was an "active shooter" at the CVS store on campus around 4:30 p.m. local time and urged people to "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area." University officials lifted the shelter in place order at about 6:30 p.m. and Atlanta authorities confirmed shortly after that the shooter had been killed. DeKalb officer gave his life to serve others Dekalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick said the name and photograph of the officer who died in the attack on Aug. 8 would be released later. He described the officer's actions as the culmination of a career of service. "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." The chief added: "He should be respected for that." Officer killed was 13th from DeKalb police to die by gunfire The officer killed on Aug. 8 is the 13th DeKalb County officer to die in the line of duty from gunfire, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a public database dedicated to paying tribute to officers killed on the job. Officer Edgar Isidro Flores was the last DeKalb officer to be killed by gunfire, according to Officer Down. He was 24 years old when he was fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop in December 2018, according to Officer Down and Fox 5 Atlanta. Sergeant Daniel Marcus Mobley was the most recent to die, according to Officer Down. He was performing a traffic stop and was fatally struck by a driver in 2021, Fox 5 reported. How many officers are killed nationwide? The officer killed on Aug. 8 near Emory University is among scores of law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty each year. Officer Didarul Islam of the New York City Police Department was killed on Monday, July 28, in a shooting at a Manhattan skyscraper. The gunman left four dead, including Islam, and five wounded, before turning the gun on himself, authorities said. Hundreds honored the downed NYPD officer in a service on July 31. Last year, 64 law enforcement officers were killed in line-of-duty incidents, a 6.6% increase from 2023, according to data collected by the FBI. 'Deranged criminals' target Georgians, governor says The DeKalb officer's death came only a day after another mass shooter in Georgia injured five soldiers at Fort Stewart in Liberty County. A fellow soldier carried out the rampage Aug. 7. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp lamented the second shooting in as many days in the Peach State. "Twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians," Kemp said in a statement. "Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Officer killed near Emory University leaves behind growing family
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DeKalb County destroys 4 more blighted properties
Blighted properties continue to be torn down in DeKalb County. Four condominiums in the Walden Pond community were demolished on Wednesday. The destruction is part of a plan to keep communities safe. 'What you see here is the result of decades of omission by those who were responsible for the upkeep of their property,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson told Channel 2. 'It's important that we remove these threats to public safety because it's our responsibility to provide for the welfare of our residents.' Leslie Johnson has owned her condo in the neighborhood for 26 years. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'This used to be a beautiful community, and we are in the process of trying to make it beautiful again,' Johnson said. The four units that were demolished on Wednesday were gutted by a fire four or five years ago. They were on the list to be torn down before the COVID-19 pandemic. 'This has been a long time coming with this coming down. But we're trying to bring the other buildings back up to code. A lot of the properties are being sold and they're being bought by, you know. Some people are buying multiple units… so we're hopeful that the people will use the money to make them better," Johnson said. Cochran-Johnson said she wants to work alongside homeowners like Johnson. Cochran-Johnson and Commissioner Robert Patrick will announce a blight tax on Thursday for commercial owners whose properties aren't up to code. 'You cannot allow your properties to reach a point of it is going to cost you in DeKalb if you are not upkeeping your properties,' Cochran-Johnson said. She said the county will work with individual homeowners in Walden Pond who want to continue owning their waterfront properties, but said quality of life and safety, and welfare of every citizen are her top priorities. TRENDING STORIES: Husband, wife from Buford drown near Destin resort 4 people shot at Southwest Atlanta gas station Double shooting leaves 16-year-old dead in Southwest Atlanta [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
DeKalb County police remember fallen officers at memorial service
On Wednesday, police remembered officers who have died at the annual DeKalb Police Fallen Officer Memorial Service. One by one, the names of the fallen officers were read. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson said nothing can match the courage of first responders. 'We also reaffirm our promise here in Dekalb, that their sacrifice to Dekalb and the community will never be forgotten- that their service was not in vain and that the county is safer and stronger because of their service,' she said. Families walked to the stage at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur. Loved ones quietly added white flower to a hear that's forever blue. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Alpharetta dealership employee says she was kidnapped after customer had his car serviced Mother says toddler fell through window at Cobb pre-school, but director disagrees Beloved Hall County teacher, coach dies after motorcycle crash on his way to school [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
