Catching Up: Deadly Shooting at CDC Headquarters Fueled by Vaccine Misinformation

The gunman was fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine and believed it caused his physical ailments. Some critics point to HHS Secretary RFK Jr.’s rhetoric and policies as contributing factors.

Terrence Dorsey

Aug 10, 2025

Photo: Jeff Amy/AP

Date: August 8-10, 2025
Topic: Deadly Shooting at CDC Headquarters Fueled by Vaccine Misinformation and Anti-Science Rhetoric
Summary: On Friday, August 8, 2025, a 30-year-old gunman, Patrick Joseph White, opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta from a CVS drugstore across the street. White, who was fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine and believed it caused his physical ailments, killed DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old rookie, who was among the first responders. White himself died at the scene, though it remains unclear if his wounds were self-inflicted or from police gunfire. No CDC employees were physically harmed, but multiple buildings were struck by bullets. The attack is widely seen by public health officials and employees as a direct manifestation of years of escalating misinformation, conspiracy theories, and political animosity directed at the CDC and vaccine science, with some critics pointing to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s rhetoric and policies as contributing factors.

Sources

Key Points

Perpetrator and Motive: Patrick Joseph White, 30, was identified as the gunman who opened fire on the CDC headquarters. All articles confirm his fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine, believing it caused his physical ailments, as a primary motive for the attack. His father also told police White had become depressed and suicidal due to his beliefs about the vaccine.
Victims: DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, 33, was killed while responding to the active shooter situation. The gunman, Patrick Joseph White, also died at the scene. It remains unclear across all reports whether White’s fatal wounds were self-inflicted or from police gunfire. No CDC employees or civilians were physically injured by gunfire.
Location and Damage: The shooting originated from a CVS drugstore directly across from the CDC headquarters in Atlanta. Multiple CDC buildings (at least four) were struck by bullets, resulting in shattered windows and numerous bullet holes.
Impact on CDC Staff and Operations: CDC employees experienced significant shock, fear, and anger, viewing the attack as a direct consequence of political animosity and misinformation targeting public health workers. CDC leadership acknowledged the trauma and implemented measures such as remote work for staff and security assessments.
Role of Misinformation and Political Climate: The attack is widely framed by public health experts and CDC staff as a manifestation of years of anti-vaccine conspiracy theories and escalating political hostility towards the CDC. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s past rhetoric and recent actions, such as canceling mRNA vaccine grants, are frequently cited by critics as contributing to this hostile environment.

Unique Highlights

The New York Times - Gunman in Deadly C.D.C. Shooting Fixated on Covid Vaccine, Officials Say specifies that five guns were recovered at the scene, including four long guns, and at least one equipped with a scope. It also provides personal details about Officer Rose from his mother and grandmother.
The New York Times - What We Know About the C.D.C. Shooting in Atlanta includes a statement from the CDC’s acting chief operating officer, Christa Capozzola, who characterized the shooting as a “targeted attack on C.D.C. related to Covid.”
The New York Times - After Years of Anger Directed at C.D.C., Shooting Manifests Worst Fears offers a firsthand account from a CDC scientist who barricaded herself in an office for hours, detailing her actions and the time discrepancies between her personal alert and the agency’s official one.
CNN - Friday’s attack was carried out by a shooter who’d been reaching out for mental health assistance for weeks, CDC leaders say details the specific weapons the gunman was seen with: two handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, and two backpacks with ammo, and notes he was wearing what appeared to be a surgical mask.
Context of Other Georgia Shootings: The Washington Post and NBC News both mention that Governor Brian Kemp denounced the shooting as the second “deranged criminal” incident in Georgia within a week, referencing a shooting at Fort Stewart two days prior where a U.S. Army soldier allegedly shot five fellow service members.
NBC News - What we know about the Atlanta shooting near the CDC and Emory University reports that four other individuals sought hospital treatment for stress and anxiety symptoms. It also features a strong condemnation from “Fired But Fighting,” a group of laid-off HHS employees, who rejected Kennedy’s statement of support and called for his immediate resignation.
Politico - CDC shooter believed Covid vaccine made him suicidal, his father tells police uniquely states that the shooter attempted to enter the CDC’s headquarters but was stopped by guards before driving to the CVS. It also adds that the shooter’s father told police his son was upset over the death of his dog, and quotes Russell Vought, former Office of Management and Budget director, on wanting bureaucrats to be “traumatically affected.”

Contrasting Details

While articles generally agree on the shooter’s fixation on the Covid vaccine, Politico - CDC shooter believed Covid vaccine made him suicidal, his father tells police uniquely includes the detail from the shooter’s father that he was also upset over the death of his dog, which is not mentioned in other articles as a contributing factor to his state of mind.
Initial reporting from The Washington Post - Police officer killed in shooting near CDC, officials say stated it was too soon to determine if the CDC was specifically targeted, and the Atlanta Mayor’s comments were vague about the shooter’s motive. However, later articles, including The New York Times - What We Know About the C.D.C. Shooting in Atlanta and CNN - Friday’s attack was carried out by a shooter who’d been reaching out for mental health assistance for weeks, CDC leaders say, explicitly state that CDC leaders informed staff the attack was targeted and related to Covid vaccine beliefs.
The timeline and perceived sincerity of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s response differ. The New York Times - After Years of Anger Directed at C.D.C., Shooting Manifests Worst Fears notes that Mr. Kennedy did not issue a statement on Friday and posted condolences on Saturday morning only after posting photos of fishing with his family on social media. In contrast, other articles like The New York Times - Gunman in Deadly C.D.C. Shooting Fixated on Covid Vaccine, Officials Say, The New York Times - What We Know About the C.D.C. Shooting in Atlanta, CNN - Friday’s attack was carried out by a shooter who’d been reaching out for mental health assistance for weeks, CDC leaders say, and NBC News - What we know about the Atlanta shooting near the CDC and Emory University quote his Saturday statements of support without highlighting any perceived delay or prior social media activity.

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