A shocking incident unfolded at the Atlanta headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where a shooting claimed the life of a police officer and sent shockwaves through the community of public health workers. The attack is being viewed as a dire consequence of the rampant misinformation surrounding vaccines. According to police reports, a 30-year-old man, who believed that the Covid-19 vaccine had made him ill, opened fire at the CDC buildings on Friday.
On Friday afternoon, just before 5 p.m., Atlanta police received a 911 call reporting an active shooter at a CVS drugstore located across from the CDC headquarters on Clifton Road, adjacent to the Emory University campus and Emory University Hospital. The gunman unleashed a flurry of bullets, striking the exteriors of at least four CDC buildings, resulting in shattered windows and damage to the sleek glass facades. Fortunately, no CDC employees or civilians were reported injured during the chaos.
Authorities discovered the gunman deceased on the second floor of the drugstore. It remains unclear whether he died from a self-inflicted wound or from a shot fired by law enforcement. Initial reports from the Justice Department indicated that officers recovered five firearms at the scene, including four long guns. It is believed that some, if not all, of these weapons belonged to the suspect’s father.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, expressed his condolences in a statement on Saturday, emphasizing that “No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.” This tragic incident is emblematic of the increasing hostility faced by public health officials, often exacerbated by conspiracy theories related to vaccines and the CDC’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The suspect has been identified as Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old resident of Kennesaw, Georgia, approximately 30 miles from the CDC campus. White lived with his parents and was described by neighbors as a helpful, quiet individual involved in community activities such as dog walking and lawn care. However, those close to him noted a recent change in behavior, indicating that he had become increasingly “unsettled” and fixated on vaccine-related issues.
During a staff meeting on Saturday, CDC officials characterized White as “very disturbed.” A law enforcement source, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing investigation, revealed that White’s father had previously reported his son as suicidal prior to the shooting. Although officials have yet to establish a definitive motive, Christa Capozzola, the CDC’s acting chief operating officer, indicated that the shooting was "a targeted attack on the CDC related to Covid."
The fallen officer, David Rose, was a 33-year-old rookie with the DeKalb County Police Department, having served less than a year on the force. Originally from Massachusetts, he had lived in Georgia for most of his life. Before joining the police force, Officer Rose served in the Marines and worked at the sheriff’s office, supervising inmates in local jails. His mother, Deveane Atkinson, recounted that Officer Rose had expressed a desire for change, stating, “I feel like I’m in jail,” and wanted to help people more directly.
Despite family concerns regarding the dangers of police work, Officer Rose completed his basic training in March and was among the first responders to the shooting incident. Tragically, he sustained severe injuries and was rushed to Emory University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officer Rose leaves behind his wife, their one-year-old son, and his six-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. His wife, whom he had known since high school, is also expecting another child.
The shooting has sparked renewed discussions about the threats faced by healthcare workers, particularly those in public health roles. Many scientists and public health experts believe that this incident reflects a disturbing trend of violence fueled by misinformation about vaccines. Inside the CDC, employees expressed their frustrations and fears during a recent call, questioning the agency’s ability to combat the pervasive misinformation that contributed to the attack.
Despite extensive research demonstrating that Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective for the majority of Americans, skepticism persists. The vaccines have been shown to prevent millions of deaths and hospitalizations, yet conspiracy theories continue to proliferate, often targeting the CDC as a scapegoat for the pandemic’s challenges.
