Man who fired hundreds of rounds at CDC HQ was angry at Covid vaccines, authorities say

August 12, 2025

A gunman, identified as Patrick Joseph White, opened fire at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta on August 8, firing approximately 500 rounds and killing police officer David Rose who responded to the scene. Investigators revealed that White, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, had expressed distrust of COVID-19 vaccines and blamed them for making him depressed and suicidal. The attack damaged six CDC buildings with approximately 200 rounds striking the complex, though no civilians were injured during the incident.

Who is affected

Police Officer David Rose, who was fatally shot
Officer Rose's widow and three children
CDC employees and the "CDC family"
Children at a nearby daycare (who were evacuated)
Patrick Joseph White's family

What action is being taken

Georgia Bureau of Investigations and FBI are conducting an investigation into the shooting
Federal SWAT teams cleared the CDC campus to ensure no victims were inside
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is visiting the CDC campus and meeting with the deceased officer's widow
Authorities are recovering evidence, including 500 shell casings and five firearms from the scene

Why it matters

The attack targeted a major federal public health agency that was central to the U.S. COVID-19 response
The incident resulted in the death of a police officer who had recently graduated from the police academy and was a former Marine
The shooter's motivation appears linked to anti-vaccine sentiment, highlighting ongoing tensions around public health measures
The security breach resulted in significant damage to six CDC buildings, demonstrating vulnerabilities at a critical government facility

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC