The man suspected of opening fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campus late Friday evening reportedly blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his declining health and mental state. According to law enforcement sources, the investigation is ongoing, and officials have indicated that the information regarding the suspect is still preliminary. The suspect, identified as Patrick White, is believed to have faced significant mental health challenges, which may have contributed to his actions.
Sources close to White revealed that he had become increasingly fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine, perceiving it as a catalyst for his personal grievances. Residents of Kennesaw, Georgia, who were familiar with the 30-year-old suspect, shared with ABC News that they had heard White express anger and conspiracy theories related to the vaccine. One neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted how White would often sit on her porch for extended periods, voicing complaints about his health following the vaccine. She mentioned that he claimed to have lost significant weight, developed swallowing difficulties, and faced gastrointestinal issues after receiving the shot. The neighbor noted that he believed the media and government were not adequately addressing his concerns, asserting that the vaccines were harming him and that the public needed to be informed of the "truth."
While Patrick White's father declined to comment on the situation when contacted by ABC News, the investigation led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues to seek clarity on the motive behind the shooting. The agency has withheld specific details regarding the suspect's motivations. In contrast, infectious disease experts have consistently maintained that mRNA vaccines, such as those developed for COVID-19, have undergone extensive study over the years and played a crucial role in saving lives during the pandemic. According to the CDC, the long-term adverse reactions to these vaccines are generally quite rare.
In light of the shooting, the CDC has mandated that all employees nationwide, with the exception of essential on-site personnel, work remotely on Monday. This decision was communicated through a letter obtained by ABC News. The letter reassured the agency's more than 10,000 employees that both federal and local law enforcement are conducting thorough monitoring of all potential threats to the CDC and its staff, both past and present, to ensure their safety.
Though the exact motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed, CDC leadership informed employees in an email that the attack was targeted and related to COVID-19. Tragically, DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was fatally shot while responding to the reported gunfire. He was subsequently transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead, as confirmed during a press conference on Friday evening. During the incident, the suspect fired multiple rounds at CDC buildings, resulting in broken windows, as stated by Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. Additionally, four other individuals were taken to a local hospital for stress and anxiety-related issues following the shooting.
