A Georgia man has been identified as the shooter who opened fire on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters late on Friday, resulting in the death of police officer David Rose. The 30-year-old suspect, Patrick Joseph White, who had previously attributed his depression and suicidal thoughts to the COVID-19 vaccine, reportedly died during the incident. White attempted to enter the CDC's Atlanta campus but was thwarted by security guards. He then drove to a pharmacy across the street where he opened fire.
White was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun, according to anonymous law enforcement sources. The incident has raised concerns among CDC staff, who are asking for condemnation of vaccine misinformation that they feel has put them at risk. A union representing CDC workers emphasized that the shooting is not just a random act but a culmination of months of mistreatment and vilification experienced by CDC staff.
During the attack, police say White's gunfire left bullet marks on windows across several buildings on the CDC campus. Officer David Rose, who had recently graduated from the police academy in March and was a former Marine veteran, was critically injured while responding to the situation. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
White's body was found on the second floor of a building across from the CDC and the exact cause of his death remains unclear—authorities are investigating whether it was a result of police fire or self-inflicted. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has termed the crime scene "complex," indicating that the investigation could take a significant amount of time to complete.
The American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2883, has called for a public statement from the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services, strongly condemning vaccine misinformation. They believe such a statement is crucial in preventing future violence against scientists and reinforcing public confidence in science-based information.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has been criticized by some former CDC employees for allegedly perpetuating vaccine misinformation, thereby creating an environment hostile to public health professionals. In response to the incident, he stated that no individual should face violence while striving to protect public health.
Many employees at the CDC were forced to shelter in place during and after the shooting, including over 90 young children at the CDC’s Clifton School. Following the traumatic event, the union insisted that staff should not be expected to return to work immediately, especially in an environment where they could still see the damage caused by the shooting. They have urged for necessary repairs and heightened security measures across all campuses until the investigation is fully complete.
White's father had contacted authorities and identified his son as a potential suspect in the shooting. Reports indicate that White had been struggling with distress over the death of his dog and had developed a fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine. A neighbor noted that while he often expressed distrust concerning vaccines, she never anticipated that he would resort to violence against the CDC.
The situation has sparked renewed discussions about the impact of vaccine misinformation on public health officials and the need for adequate protection and support for those working at health institutions. The ongoing investigation aims to bring clarity to this tragic event and its implications for public health safety moving forward.
