Crime
Mellow Mushroom Kennesaw Deletes 2018 Social Media Post Featuring CDC Shooting Suspect Patrick Joseph White
KENNESAW, Ga. / ATLANTA, Ga. — Mellow Mushroom’s Kennesaw location has removed a 2018 social media post that featured Patrick Joseph White, the 30-year-old identified by authorities as the gunman in Friday’s fatal shooting near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta.
The removal comes after reporting confirmed the post contained one of the first publicly available photographs of White following the attack, which left a DeKalb County police officer dead and another officer wounded.
The since-deleted 2018 post, made by the Kennesaw franchise of the pizza restaurant chain, introduced White as a valued member of the staff.
The post reads, Meet Patrick. Patrick is a cool, calm, and collected person who has been working at our location for a year now and he brings a relaxing energy to our work environment. He makes everybody feel comfortable so everything can run smooth and efficiently. Most importantly, Patrick’s impact can be measured by how uplifting his spirit is. Fellow-server Kim Lopez says “Patrick is amazing to work with because he’s basically the comedic relief. Whenever you’re having a bad day he’s always there to cheer you up with his witty personality. He’s great with the customers and knows how to start an interesting conversation. He’s also a reliable coworker and friend, if you need anything just ask and he will be right there to help you.” We are so amazed by the wonderful influence Patrick has had on our store; he is truly one of a kind and he could never be replaced. We love you Patrick!!! A great experience with our Shroom Crew is waiting for you today. Since it’s Sunday we’re offering our eligible guests $5 House Bloody Marys and our Sweetwater Sunday Specials! Make your way over right now!
Mellow Mushroom’s corporate office did not return calls for comment.
A current employee at the Kennesaw location said they could not provide a statement and claimed not to know anyone by that name.
Authorities say the shooting unfolded on Friday, August 8, around 4:50 p.m., when White attempted to enter the CDC’s Roybal Campus but was denied entry by security.
He then opened fire toward multiple CDC buildings before moving across the street to the Emory Point shopping area, where he entered a CVS pharmacy.
DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, 33, was among the first to respond. Officials say Rose came under immediate fire, suffering fatal wounds.
A second officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
A gunfight between White and officers occurred inside the CVS on the second floor, ending with the suspect dead.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether White died from police gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.
Officer Rose, who joined the department in September 2024, is survived by his wife, two children, and a third child on the way. “This officer responded to the call as he was trained to do. He was committed to serving the community,” Interim Chief Greg Padrick said.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified White as a resident of Kennesaw, an Atlanta suburb.
While law enforcement has not formally announced a motive, CNN and other outlets report that White’s family told investigators he had become increasingly distressed in recent months, blaming the COVID-19 vaccine for making him ill and grieving the loss of his dog.
Neighbors described White as helpful and friendly, often assisting with yard work, walking neighborhood dogs, and taking down holiday decorations.
Several recalled that he was outspoken against vaccines, at times knocking on doors to discuss the issue.
One neighbor noted a visible change in White’s appearance recently, saying he appeared thinner and more withdrawn.
A LinkedIn profile matching White lists his attendance at Kennesaw State University and previous employment at Mellow Mushroom.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, including Atlanta Police, DeKalb County Police, Emory Police, Georgia State Patrol, FBI, GBI, ATF, and several surrounding municipal departments.
The CDC campus and Emory University buildings were placed on lockdown during the incident. No civilians were injured.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed that several CDC windows were damaged by gunfire.
The GBI says evidence processing and interviews will take time due to the complexity of the scene.
CDC staff have been instructed to work remotely until a full security assessment is completed.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.