Gunman Targets US CDC in Shooting Rampage Amidst Health Concerns and Vaccine Misinformation

In an emergency Zoom meeting on Saturday, approximately 800 concerned CDC employees sought clarification following a shocking incident on Friday where a gunman opened fire on several buildings of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The attack occurred as employees were wrapping up their week when over 40 bullets penetrated office windows, narrowly missing cubicles and sending shivers down the spines of staff members in at least four buildings.

While the motive behind the shooting remains undisclosed, law enforcement sources suggest the suspect may have targeted the CDC due to health concerns he attributed to the Covid-19 vaccine.

As one of the world’s leading health agencies, the CDC is entrusted with safeguarding the health of American citizens. However, it has faced significant criticism during the second term of the previous administration as misconceptions regarding the vaccine continue to circulate, stemming the global pandemic.

CDC leaders revealed on the call that the shooter had been reaching out for mental health assistance for several weeks but hadn’t made any threats prior to the incident, according to two unnamed sources. The identity of the person being contacted by the suspect is still unclear.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the gunman identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White. He was armed with two handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, and two backpacks filled with ammunition. The incident began outside an Emory Point CVS drugstore on Clifton Road, directly opposite the CDC’s main entrance.

CDC buildings suffered at least 40 bullet holes in two structures, with a few more in a third building. These facilities house most of the non-lab work at the CDC. Authorities confirmed that this was not an accidental shooting.

Employees expressed feelings of vulnerability during Saturday’s call, likening themselves to sitting ducks. Photos taken inside one building show bullet holes in windows and shattered glass on the floor, with rounds of ammunition just above a line of office cubicles.

DeKalb County police officer David Rose was fatally wounded when he responded to the scene. A father of two with another child on the way, Rose would have completed one year on the job next month. The gunman turned his attention from the CDC complex to Officer Rose before being shot and found dead on the second floor of the CVS store.

CDC employees expressed relief that no one was killed in the attack, with one employee telling CNN it was a miracle that no lives were lost. Aliki Pappas Weakland, an associate director at the CDC, shared her harrowing experience on social media Saturday night. She described dropping to the floor when the shooting started and feeling fear as the gunfire continued for 15 minutes.

Weakland, who works in the Office of Readiness and Response, which oversees the United States’ preparedness and response to public health emergencies such as natural disasters and pandemics, denounced the politically-driven vilification of public servants and public health. She expressed pride in her colleagues’ resilience despite the traumatic event.

Investigations suggest the suspect may have been unwell or believed he was ill and blamed his condition on the Covid-19 vaccine. Following the shooting, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of Covid vaccinations known for spreading vaccine misinformation, announced the cancellation of half a billion dollars in investments in mRNA projects.

CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez confirmed during the call that they have been in contact with Kennedy’s office regarding the shooting. When asked about plans to address disinformation, agency leaders did not provide a direct response. CDC staff were informed they would work remotely on Monday while a security assessment is conducted, and employee assistance personnel were made available to workers.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed sympathy for the CDC employees, acknowledging their challenging year marked by uncertainty about employment and potential budget cuts. The Trump administration’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 aims to slash the agency’s funding by more than half, with plans to eliminate certain programs or transfer them to a new Administration for a Healthy America.