The police officer who lost his life after an alleged gunman launched his shooting spree in Atlanta, Georgia, on Friday, August 8, has been official identified as David Rose. He was 33 years old.

Having been with the DeKalb County Police Department since September 2024, he was killed while responding to reports of a shooter near the main campus of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory University in Atlanta. 

Officials previously notified that the police officer was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for medical aid. However, David Rose eventually succumbed to his injuries after a standoff with the alleged shooter.

“He was committed to serving the community,” said Interim Police Chief Greg Padrick in a statement. “At this time we’re asking for the community’s prayers for his family, his friends, his loved ones and the entire DeKalb County Police Department family.”

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Meanwhile the DeKalb County Police Department wrote in an X thread: “Officer Rose served DeKalb County with courage, integrity, and unwavering dedication. Even in the face of danger was he diligent in his duty to protect our community.”

FBI Director Kash Patel extends condolences to police officer David Rose’s family

Even Indian-origin FBI Director Kash Patel has since spoken out, sending his regards to the slain officer’s family. He is survived by a pregnant wife and two children.

Offering full support of the FBI in the ongoing Georgia shooting investigation, Patel wrote on X: “Pray for the family, friends, and colleagues of this hero who acted quickly to defend others and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Additionally, FBI Atlanta issued a formal statement via its official social media page. saying that it was aware of the incident that took place on Clifton Road in Dekalb County. It further confirmed their team was “enroute and coordinating with local partners for any assistance that might be needed.”

Emory University shooting: What we know so far

In addition to the officer David Rose being killed in the shootout, the suspected shooter was also found dead on the second floor of a Clifton Road building that houses a CVS store. It remains unclear whether the man responsible for the tragedy died of a self-inflicted gunshot.

Given the preliminary stages of the investigation, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said that shooter’s motive has yet to be discovered. He also noted that the gunman, who was seemingly targeting the CDC campus, is “a know person” to the officials.

Photos of bullet holes and window cracks on buildings at the CDC headquarters have since been released on social media. “Multiple rounds were fired, both we believe at law enforcement and potentially at the CDC,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.

According to the police chief’s revelations, officials received 911 calls about an active shooter at 1600 Clifton Road, right across the CDC campus, at about 4:50 pm (local time) on August 8, 2025.

This is an ongoing investigation.