Misinformation Contributes to Deadly Outcomes in Campus Shooting, Admits CDC Director
The tragic shooting incident at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) campus on Friday has been connected to the promotion of misinformation regarding COVID-19 vaccines.
Authorities believe the gunman, 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, was motivated by false or misleading information about COVID-19 vaccines, leading to the brazen attack against the institution responsible for public health work, including vaccine guidance and pandemic response.
During the incident, almost 500 shell casings were recovered, of which about 200 struck facilities on the CDC campus. A total of five firearms were recovered from the scene, including a long gun that belonged to White's father.
White, who had no criminal history and reportedly had recently verbalized thoughts of suicide, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The CDC Director, Susan Monarez, sent a note to CDC employees blaming the promotion of misinformation for the shooting. She stated that she will work to restore trust in public health through science, evidence, and clarity of purpose.
Prior to the shooting, law enforcement had been contacted several weeks earlier. Neighbours reported that White had sat on her porch and complained about weight loss, problems swallowing, and gastrointestinal issues after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
People who knew White told ABC News they had heard him express angry and conspiracy-minded sentiments. White's parents are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
A search warrant of White's home found written documentation expressing his discontent with the COVID-19 vaccine. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is examining the documentation, which is being shared with the FBI Atlanta field office. There were no direct threats made in the written document.
The meeting with CDC employees was cut short by technical difficulties, lasting just about 10 minutes instead of the planned hour. The story has been updated to clarify that some of the 500 rounds may not have been fired by the gunman, according to law enforcement.
The shooting of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose during the incident has been confirmed by preliminary information from the DeKalb County Medical Examiner's Office, indicating that Rose's injuries were caused by one of the gunman's weapons.
This connection highlights how harmful misinformation can escalate into severe real-world violence targeting public health officials. It is a stark reminder of the importance of accurate information and the potential consequences of spreading misinformation.
[1] Source: ABC News, CDC Shooting Incident Linked to Misinformation About COVID-19 Vaccines, 2023-03-10.
Politics and general news outlets are discussing the recent tragedy at the CDC, where a shooting was linked to misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. Crime and justice authorities are investigating the role of misinformation in motivating the attack, emphasizing the potential real-world dangers of spreading false data.
