Former Marine, New Police Officer Killed Confronting CDC Shooter in Atlanta

A newly hired police officer and ex-Marine lost his life earlier this month while facing off against a gunman who unleashed nearly 500 rounds into structures at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Officer David Rose, 29, a veteran of four years in the Marine Corps, was shot while attending to the incident that occurred on August 8 at the country’s leading disease and vaccine research facility. He subsequently passed away at Emory University Hospital, a place where his mother, who had a long career as a nurse, was once employed.

“The same doctor who treated him has attended Christmas parties at their home,” stated Rose’s mother, Deveane Atkinson-Burnett, during an interview with local reporters. “Fearless.” In a single word, bold. Fully committed to every endeavor, consistently and without exception.

Officials reported that the assailant, Patrick Joseph White, 30, broke windows and instilled fear among employees before taking his own life as law enforcement approached. Authorities discovered documents and digital content connecting White to conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine, frequently aimed at the CDC.

Fortunately, there were no other injuries reported, although over 90 children experienced a temporary lockdown at a childcare facility located on the campus. Authorities indicated that CDC facilities have been fortified against firearms in recent years, potentially averting mass casualties.

Rose, originally from the Atlanta suburbs, joined the Marine Corps in 2013 using the name Rasahn Patrick David Atkinson. An electrician who served in Kuwait from 2015 to 2017, he completed his time in the military as a corporal, earning multiple non-combat awards, such as the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. His most recent posting was with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374 located in Twentynine Palms, California.

Following his service in the Marines, Rose returned to Georgia, where he took on the role of a jailer in Gwinnett County before becoming a member of the DeKalb County Police Department. He completed his studies at the academy in September 2024, taking on the role of class leader and keynote speaker, where he delivered a speech highlighting the importance of service and sacrifice.

“As we take our first steps onto these streets, we are prepared,” Rose shared with his fellow graduates. “When a call for assistance comes in, we act without delay. When challenges arise — and they certainly will — we stand firm. This transcends a mere profession; it’s a profound vocation. Today, we respond to that call.”

Atkinson-Burnett expressed that she was not taken aback by her son's quick response to the CDC attack. “Despite being new to the area, he would quickly figure out how to reach the destination upon hearing that.” “He’s familiar with the area,” she stated.

Rose’s sacrifice, she noted, aligned perfectly with his way of life: “Fearless.”