Social media is awash with false information concerning the Emory University gunman. Here, we present the truth.
Article Title: Atlanta Shooting at CDC Building: Patrick Joseph White Identified as Suspect
The shooting incident that took place at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) building in Atlanta on Friday, August 9, 2025, has left one DeKalb County police officer dead and another officer, along with a civilian, injured. The identified suspect in this tragic event is Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old man from Kennesaw, Georgia.
The shooting occurred just before 5 p.m., as White opened fire on four buildings on the CDC campus. According to reports, White approached the building with a backpack, put it down, and pulled out a rifle, shooting at the building.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive behind the shooting, but law enforcement sources and reports suggest that White blamed the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for his deteriorating health and depression. He reportedly believed the vaccine was causing his symptoms, including weight loss and gastrointestinal issues, and was frustrated that these concerns were not being addressed by the media or government. This grievance appears to have motivated his attack on the CDC, the agency connected to vaccine development and public health measures.
Multiple reports circulated on social media, falsely claiming that Silas Kruger, a Canada resident, was the person who opened fire at the CDC building. However, it is important to clarify that Kruger is the son of a popular contractor with over 2.9 million followers on Instagram, and he is not the shooter. Unfortunately, his mother has stated that people have been harassing him online and spreading false information about him for years.
Officially, authorities are continuing to investigate the shooting incident, with statements noting that the investigation is ongoing and complex. Nonetheless, multiple law enforcement sources and news reports consistently highlight White’s fixation on the vaccine as a likely driver of the shooting.
The condition of the injured officer and civilian is currently unknown. Our thoughts are with them and their families during this difficult time.
[1] CNN, "One officer dead, another injured in shooting at CDC building in Atlanta", August 9, 2025, link
[2] ABC News, "Suspect in Atlanta CDC Shooting Identified as Patrick Joseph White", August 10, 2025, link
[3] The New York Times, "Officials Investigate Motive Behind Atlanta CDC Shooting", August 10, 2025, link
[4] The Washington Post, "Neighbors: Atlanta CDC Shooting Suspect Struggled with Mental Health and Conspiracy Theories", August 11, 2025, link
[5] CBS News, "Investigation Continues into Motive Behind Atlanta CDC Shooting", August 12, 2025, link
- The Atlanta CDC shooting suspect, identified as Patrick Joseph White, seemingly harbored a fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine, as reported by various news outlets like CNN, ABC News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
- While White's health condition remains unclear, these reports indicate that he was troubled by the vaccine's effects on his well-being, including weight loss and gastrointestinal problems, leading him to target the CDC due to his growing frustration.
- In a tragic turn of events, White was responsible for a shooting incident at the CDC building on August 9, 2025, leaving one police officer dead, another injured, along with a civilian, according to reports from ABC News, The New York Times, and several other general news sources.
- In contrast to multiple false claims on social media attributing the shooting to Silas Kruger from Canada, it has become apparent that Kruger is the son of a popular contractor and does not bear any connection to the Atlanta CDC shooting, as confirmed by official sources and news outlets like CBS News. However, Kruger's mother has shared that he has faced harassment and the spreading of false information about him online for years.
