In early August 2025, a devastating act of violence erupted near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta. On the afternoon of August 8, a 30-year-old man, Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, unleashed a barrage of gunfire—over 180 shots—targeting multiple CDC buildings. Law enforcement ultimately discovered him dead inside a nearby CVS Pharmacy, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to AP News. Responding to the attack, DeKalb County Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old rookie and former Marine, was mortally wounded and unfortunately passed at Emory University Hospital. Rose’s tragic passing left behind a pregnant wife and two young children, plunging his family and community into grief.

Authorities have traced White’s motives to a deeply held mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines. He believed the Covid-19 vaccines caused him to be ill. From Fox News, we know that documents recovered from his home and statements by his father reveal that he believed the vaccine had harmed his mental and physical well-being and had grown increasingly fixated on spreading that view. White had even reached out for mental health help in the weeks prior, with police responding to multiple welfare-check calls about suicidal ideation

In the scene of the crime, according to the Times, the onslaught of bullets—over 500 shell casings were found at the scene, with many striking the CDC’s blast-resistant windows—led to a campus lockdown. Remarkably, no CDC staff or nearby daycare children were injured, thanks to the building’s protections and rapid law enforcement response.

In the aftermath, CDC Director Susan Monarez delivered a sobering message to staff, acknowledging the profound role that misinformation has played in culminating in deadly consequences. She pledged to restore evidence-based trust and urged compassionate, science-driven discourse going forward. Public health employees and unions blamed the attack on what they described as an increasingly hostile environment — a climate of mistrust, anger, and even threats toward health officials — fueled by anti-vaccine rhetoric. They also called out political figures such as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of perpetuating misinformation, dismantling vaccine research, and fostering a climate that undermines public trust.

As the site heals, CDC staff are confronting a mix of fear, sorrow, and resolve — recommitting to their mission while demanding stronger institutional support, mental health resources, and societal leadership that prioritizes truth over division.