Gunman dead in Atlanta shooting near CDC and Emory University; officer killed, police say
A man opened fire outside the headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on Friday, Aug. 8, leaving bullet holes in windows across the sprawling campus and killing a police officer before he was found dead in a nearby building, authorities said.
The attack, which unfolded near neighboring Emory University, prompted a massive law enforcement response to one of the nation's most prominent public health institutions. No one else was reported to be injured.
The gunman was identified Saturday as Patrick Joseph White, age 30, of Kennesaw, Georgia. His motive is still unknown this early in the investigation, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said.
Officer David Rose was killed in the gunfire, the DeKalb County Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Shooting suspect identified as 30-year-old man
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Saturday identified the gunman as Patrick Joseph White, age 30, of Kennesaw, Georgia.
The GBI statement says White died in the incident. Officer David Rose with the DeKalb County Police Department was shot and killed during the shooting on Friday, the DeKalb County Police Department said.
On Friday, the Atlanta Police Chief said the gunman was found dead.
The GBI said Emory University Police Department requested the agency investigate the shooting that left White and Rose dead. GBI said, upon the request of the Atlanta Police Department, they are also investigating a shooting incident that occurred before Friday's shooting.
GBI said they are the lead investigative agency in both these cases. The law enforcement agency also said that the investigation will take an extended period of time.
Slain DeKalb police officer identified
DeKalb County officials identified the officer killed Friday as 33-year-old David Rose, a deputy.
Rose was a father of two with a third child on the way, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said at a news conference earlier Friday.
He was fatally shot after responding to the incident. But officials have provided no further details on the exact circumstances leading up to his death.
CDC director says agency is "heartbroken" by shooting
Dr. Susan Monarez, director of the CDC, said in a statement Friday evening that the agency was "heartbroken" by the "attack on our Roybal Campus."
Monarez disclosed the gunman opened fire on at least four CDC buildings.
The campus remains on lockdown as the investigation continues, Monarez said.
"Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC," Monarez said. "We are actively coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to fully investigate the shooter and this tragic crime."
Monarez was just confirmed to the post by the Senate in a vote last week. She had served as acting CDC director since January and was officially nominated to the position by President Trump in March.
Officer injured in shooting has died, police say
The officer who was shot and wounded while responding to the incident has died, Interim Chief Greg Padrick of the DeKalb County Police Department said.
"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," Padrick said. "He was committed to serving the community."
Officials are not currently releasing the officer's name. They said he was married and had two children, with a third on the way.
"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 at a news conference. "There is a mother and a father, as well as siblings who also share in this traumatic loss. This evening, my heart goes out to the family."
Police say they found gunman dead on second floor of CVS
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference Friday evening that officers received reports of an active shooter at about 4:50 p.m., at a location immediately in front of the CDC.
At the scene, officers found a critically injured DeKalb County police officer, who was taken to Grady Hospital.
Officers could still hear gunfire occurring inside a nearby CVS drug store, Schierbaum said.
Schierbaum said officers moved quickly to find the shooter on the second floor of the CVS. The suspect was struck by gunfire, but Shierbaum said it is not known whether the gunfire came from officers or if it was self-inflicted. The gunman died at the scene.
Schierbaum said the CDC campus received multiple rounds of gunfire into its buildings, but there were no known injuries there.
Police described the gunman as a white male, but they did not identify him and did not give a possible motive.
No civilians were injured, Atlanta mayor says
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said at the briefing that no civilians were injured in the shooting.
He said a DeKalb County police officer is hospitalized with injuries.
Dickens said there were 92 children at a day care center on the CDC campus, who are all safe. Dickens said officials are working to get families reunited with their children at a local school nearby.
Gunman is dead, police say
The Atlanta Police Department said the incident involved a single shooter, who is now dead. Police said there is no longer an ongoing threat.
They did not provide any information about how the suspect died.
Police also confirmed that a law enforcement official was injured.
Shelter in place lifted
Emory University said in a social media post a little after 6:30 p.m. that the shelter in place has been lifted, but a police emergency continues.
"A police emergency continues on the Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point. Avoid the area," the post reads.
Map shows area of shooting
Police responded to the Emory University campus in northeast Atlanta, where the headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also located.
Gov. Brian Kemp thanks first responders
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a social media post that "twice this week, deranged criminals have targeted innocent Georgians."
"Each time, brave first responders rushed toward the danger to subdue the shooter and save lives, reminding us of just how crucial they are," Kemp wrote.
He said he and his family are "thankful for all those who answer the call to serve and who protect their fellow Georgians. We ask that you join us in holding them in our prayers, along with those harmed this evening near the CDC Center."
On Wednesday, five soldiers were wounded when an active-duty sergeant opened fire on his coworkers at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
Bullet holes reported at CDC building
The headquarters of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is located by Emory's campus, and multiple people at the office say there are bullet holes in the windows. There are no reports of injuries at CDC at this time, and people are sheltering in place.
Georgia AG says office is "horrified" by shooting
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in a social media post, "We're horrified by the news out of Emory University and praying for the safety of the entire campus community."
Carr said in the post, "We stand ready to assist our law enforcement partners with whatever they may need."
Officer sent to Emory University Hospital
One officer was sent to Emory University Hospital, Grady Health told CBS News. No details were released about the officer's condition.
FBI responding to the scene
A law enforcement source said the FBI is aware of the situation and is coordinating with local authorities. The FBI is responding to the scene.
Emory University warns of "active shooter"
Police in Atlanta say they are on the scene investigating reports of an active shooter.
At about 5 p.m, Emory University posted an emergency alert message saying: "Active shooter on Emory Atlanta Campus at Emory Point CVS. RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area."
