A 30-year-old man from Georgia, identified as Patrick Joseph White, opened fire at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on Friday, killing DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose and firing dozens of rounds into the complex. White was armed with five guns, including at least one long rifle. Initially, he attempted to enter the CDC headquarters but was stopped by security guards. He then drove to a pharmacy across the street where he opened fire late in the afternoon, according to law enforcement officials.

Officer David Rose, 33, who was fatally wounded while responding to the shooting, was a father of two with a third child on the way. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The Atlanta police confirmed that no civilians were wounded during the incident. CDC Director Susan Monarez expressed sorrow over the event, noting that at least four CDC buildings were hit by gunfire and commended the quick and courageous response of law enforcement and CDC staff that helped prevent further casualties.

The suspect’s father contacted the police and identified his son as the potential shooter. He told investigators that Patrick had been struggling emotionally, particularly after the death of the family dog, and had become fixated on the belief that the COVID-19 vaccine had made him depressed and suicidal. This fixation was cited by the father as a contributing factor to the violent outburst. The family resides in Kennesaw, a suburb northwest of Atlanta, approximately 25 to 40 miles from the CDC complex.

The shooting has sparked reactions across the public health community and beyond. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism regarding vaccine safety, voiced support for the CDC employees following the tragedy. However, some laid-off CDC employees criticized Kennedy, blaming him for contributing to an environment that may have fueled such violence and demanded that he resign. Authorities have not confirmed if Patrick Joseph White was killed by police or died by suicide. The investigation into the incident and the motive continues.