GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in DeKalb County

UPDATE - 8/12/2025:

The GBI continues its active investigation into the officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose and the shooter, identified as Patrick Joseph White.

The family of Patrick Joseph White is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Evidence gathered in this investigation indicates that the shooter had recently verbalized thoughts of suicide, which led to law enforcement being contacted several weeks prior to the shooting incident.

The shooter has no previous criminal history.

A search warrant executed at White’s home resulted in the recovery of written documents. These materials are being analyzed by GBI’s Certified Criminal Profilers. In the documents, White expressed beliefs indicating his discontent with the COVID-19 vaccine.

Preliminary information from the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office indicates that Officer David Rose’s injuries were caused by one of the shooter’s weapons. Additionally, evidence suggests that White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shooter was not hit by any shots fired by law enforcement officers. Further forensic testing of the firearms evidence will be conducted by the GBI Crime Lab.

More than 500 shell casings have been recovered from the crime scene. Investigators have recovered a total of five firearms, along with other critical evidence, all of which will be submitted for further forensic testing. Electronic devices seized during the investigation are currently undergoing digital forensic examination. GBI agents are continuing to conduct numerous interviews as part of this ongoing case.

The complexity of this ongoing investigation requires a great deal of collaboration and information sharing between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information about this investigation, including photos or videos from the incident, is encouraged to submit a tip. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia .gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something app.

UPDATE - 8/9/2025: 

Patrick Joseph White, age 30, of Kennesaw, GA is the suspected shooter in the incident that occurred on Clifton Rd. near the Emory University campus.

ORIGINAL RELEASE: 
DeKalb County, GA (August 8, 2025) - At the request of the Emory University Police Department, GBI agents are investigating an officer involved shooting on Clifton Road in DeKalb County, GA. The Atlanta Police Department has requested the GBI investigate a shooting incident that occurred prior to the officer involved shooting. The GBI is also the lead investigative agency in these cases. Patrick Joseph White, age 30, of Kennesaw, GA, died during the incident. Officer David Rose with the DeKalb County Police Department was shot and killed during the incident.

ATF, FBI, the Atlanta Police Department, the Brookhaven Police Department, the Chamblee Police Department, the Dekalb County Police Department, the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office, the Dunwoody Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol assisted with clearing and securing the scene.

There is extensive evidence to collect due to the complex scene. Numerous interviews are being conducted. This investigation will take an extended period of time.

As soon as we have more to release, we will update our website and our X platform.