Unknown assailant implicated in shooting incident close to the Center for Disease Control; suspected motive yet to be determined
The tranquil atmosphere of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta was shattered on August 8, 2025, when a shooter opened fire, causing damage to several buildings and claiming the life of Officer David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department.
The attack, which was described as deliberately targeted, was led by Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Kennesaw, Georgia. White, who was killed in the shooting, had five firearms in his possession during the attack.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is leading the investigation into the shooting, with the complexity of the scene requiring the collection of numerous pieces of evidence. Authorities recovered three other firearms at the scene.
The motive behind the attack was the suspect's belief that the COVID-19 vaccine had caused him severe mental health problems, including depression and suicidal thoughts. White blamed the vaccine for making him sick, causing weight loss, gastrointestinal issues, and depression.
The shooting caused damage to at least four CDC buildings, including the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The union representing CDC employees has called on pertinent authorities to condemn vaccine misinformation as a contributing factor to the violent act, highlighting the ongoing threat that such disinformation poses to public health and safety.
Neighbors reported that White expressed conspiracy-minded beliefs and anger about the vaccine, feeling that the government and media were not reporting on his adverse health effects allegedly caused by the shot.
Officer David Rose, who was killed in the shooting, was a former marine and was highly respected by his colleagues for his dedication, courage, and professionalism. Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, executive director of DeKalb County, stated that David Rose left a wife and three children, one of them unborn, without a father.
A CVS near the shooting scene remained closed on Saturday morning, with an apparent bullet hole visible in the door. The massive response from law enforcement at the CDC ensured the safety of the public and contained the situation effectively.
As the investigation continues, many interviews are being conducted to gather more information about the incident and the suspect. The GBI has stated that the investigation will take an extended period of time.
[1] ABC News. (2025). Shooting at CDC Headquarters in Atlanta: What We Know. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/shooting-cdc-headquarters-atlanta-leaves-officer-dead-suspect/story?id=86945676
[2] CNN. (2025). Shooting at CDC Headquarters in Atlanta: What We Know. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/08/us/shooting-at-cdc-atlanta-officer-dead/index.html
[3] The New York Times. (2025). Shooting at CDC Headquarters in Atlanta: What We Know. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/08/us/shooting-at-cdc-atlanta.html
- The investigation into the shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has revealed that the suspect, Patrick Joseph White, had a history of conspiracy-minded beliefs and anger about vaccines, particularly the COVID-19 vaccine.
- As the general news landscape continues to evolve, the shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between war-and-conflicts, politics, crime-and-justice, and public health, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked misinformation.
