A Georgia man who claimed the COVID-19 vaccine had left him depressed and suicidal has been identified as the gunman responsible for a deadly shooting outside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta. The incident, which occurred late Friday, claimed the life of a police officer and ended with the suspect’s death. Authorities say the attack appeared targeted, raising concerns about ongoing threats against public health workers.
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, reportedly attempted to enter the CDC’s secured campus but was stopped by guards. He then drove to a pharmacy located across the street and began firing shots. According to law enforcement, White was heavily armed with five guns, including at least one long gun. Bullet impacts were found on windows across four separate CDC buildings. The attack resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old former Marine who had served in Afghanistan and graduated from the police academy earlier this year. Rose was mortally wounded while responding to the scene.
White was later found on the second floor of a building opposite the CDC campus. He died at the scene, though officials have not yet determined whether his death was self-inflicted or caused by police return fire. Authorities described the location as a “complex” crime scene and indicated that the investigation would be lengthy.
The shooting prompted a lockdown across multiple CDC facilities, with staff sheltering in place well into the night. More than 90 children in the CDC’s Clifton School were among those kept in secure locations until police deemed the area safe. The union representing CDC workers stated the event was not a random act but the latest in a series of incidents reflecting growing hostility toward the agency and its staff. The union urged federal officials to strongly condemn vaccine misinformation, warning that false narratives were fueling distrust and potentially inciting violence against scientists.
In its statement, the union said CDC staff should not be required to return to work immediately in buildings bearing bullet damage, arguing that forcing employees to work beside such reminders risked retraumatizing them. It also called for improved perimeter security across all CDC campuses until the investigation is complete and safety measures are strengthened.
White’s motive appears to have been influenced by personal grievances and strong anti-vaccine beliefs. According to police, his father contacted authorities to identify his son as the likely shooter. He revealed that White had been distressed over the recent death of his dog and had grown fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine. Neighbors described him as unsettled and vocal about his belief that vaccines had harmed him and others. One neighbor said she had multiple conversations with him about his distrust of vaccines but never imagined he would commit violence.
Public health leaders have expressed deep concern over the attack, emphasizing that no one should face violence for working to protect the nation’s health. They have reiterated the importance of accurate, science-based communication to counter misinformation. The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for security enhancements at government health institutions, given their high-profile role in responding to the pandemic and other public health threats.
The death of Officer Rose has been met with mourning from law enforcement colleagues, the military community, and the public. His service record and recent graduation from the police academy highlight a career cut short in its early stages. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the full scope of the shooter’s actions, securing federal health campuses, and addressing the dangerous intersection of misinformation and public safety.
