Full Breakdown
Memorial Roadway and Plaque Honor Officer David Rose on CDC Anniversary
8/8/2026, 10:23:52 PM
Background & Context
In 2025 a gunman opened fire on the CDC campus in Atlanta, firing hundreds of rounds from a nearby CVS pharmacy. The attack left the facility locked down and resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old Marine veteran who had joined the police academy only months earlier. The shooter, Patrick Joseph White, expressed anger toward COVID-19 vaccines in recovered documents and died by suicide. No CDC employees or visitors were injured.
Timeline
- 2025 – Shooting at the CDC campus kills Officer Rose.
- August 7, 2026 – CDC dedicates the road leading to its main campus as “Officer David Rose Parkway” and installs a permanent plaque describing his service.
- August 5, 2026 – The Senate confirms Erica Schwartz as CDC director.
Data & Statistics
- Approximately 200 rounds struck six CDC buildings.
- Law-enforcement officials recovered more than 500 shell casings.
- Officer Rose was the sole fatality; all other staff and visitors escaped injury.
Official Statements & Responses
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended the private ceremony, noting that the roadway and plaque would keep Rose’s “courage, service, and sacrifice” visible to every employee.
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock offered prayers for Rose’s family and called for continued support for CDC staff.
CDC Director Susan Monarez—who was not present—later reflected on the lingering trauma, describing a bullet-hole she observed in an office the day after the attack.
Criticism & Opposition
A group of current and former HHS staff blamed Kennedy’s remarks for contributing to a climate of “harassment and violence” that preceded the shooting. Critics highlighted Kennedy’s prior anti-vaccine stance, noting he once called the Covid-19 shot “the deadliest vaccine ever made” and has since reshaped CDC immunisation policies, leading to staff layoffs and resignations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact volume of gunfire: one account describes “nearly 200 rounds,” while another references “hundreds of rounds.” Shell-casing counts also vary between “about 500” and “more than 500.” No public investigation report has yet clarified these discrepancies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today, we honored Officer David Rose’s extraordinary courage, service, and sacrifice by dedicating a memorial roadway and plaque in his memory, ensuring his legacy will continue to inspire all who enter the CDC campus,” — Robert F. Kennedy, HHS secretary
What’s Next
The Emory University community will host an online Vigil of Remembrance on the Friday preceding the anniversary, featuring music, prayers, and remarks from university and hospital representatives. A non-denominational service is scheduled for Saturday at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on the Emory campus, open to community members who register. These events aim to honor Officer Rose’s sacrifice and support CDC employees as they continue their public-health work.
