A deadly shooting outside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has left one police officer dead and reignited tensions over vaccine politics, after authorities revealed the suspect had blamed a Covid-19 shot for his mental health decline.
Gunfire at a Public Health Symbol
It was just after 4 p.m. Friday when witnesses say the calm around the CDC’s sprawling headquarters cracked open with the sound of gunfire.
According to investigators, 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White first attempted to enter the secured complex but was turned back by guards.
Instead, he drove to a pharmacy directly across the street — and began firing.
Police say White was heavily armed, carrying five guns, including at least one long rifle.
Dozens of rounds tore into buildings and vehicles before DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose arrived to respond.
Rose, a veteran officer known for his steady composure, was fatally shot in the exchange.
Suspect’s Claims and Troubled Mindset
Law enforcement officials, speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, say White had repeatedly claimed the Covid-19 vaccine made him depressed and suicidal.
Investigators are combing through his online activity and personal communications for signs of planning or extremist influence.
In interviews with people close to him, authorities have heard conflicting accounts:
Some describe a quiet man who rarely caused trouble.
Others say he’d grown increasingly angry over perceived government overreach.
One former roommate recalled him ranting about vaccine mandates late into the night.
“He thought they were hiding things from us,” the man said.
“He’d say the shot ruined his head.”
CDC on Edge — and in Mourning
For many CDC employees, the violence felt deeply personal.
The Atlanta campus is more than just an office park; it’s a nerve center of global health policy.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine skeptic, issued a statement Saturday offering support to CDC staff.
But his words drew fierce backlash from some former CDC workers, who accused him of fostering an environment where such acts could take root.
“I believe he has blood on his hands,” one recently laid-off epidemiologist told Bloomberg.
“Words have consequences — and this tragedy is proof.”
Timeline of Events
Investigators have pieced together a preliminary sequence of Friday’s events:
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3:55 p.m. – White arrives at CDC’s main gate and attempts to gain entry.
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3:58 p.m. – Security turns him away; no shots fired.
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4:05 p.m. – White parks near a pharmacy across the street.
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4:06 p.m. – First shots ring out; civilians scramble for cover.
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4:08 p.m. – Officer Rose arrives; exchange of gunfire ensues.
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4:10 p.m. – Rose is shot; backup officers move in.
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4:15 p.m. – Gunfire ceases; unclear whether White was killed by police or himself.
Authorities have not confirmed the total number of rounds fired, but one official described it as “well over 50.”
Political Repercussions
The shooting has sparked a political brawl in Washington.
Several lawmakers are calling for hearings on security at federal health facilities.
Others are demanding a closer look at misinformation’s role in motivating violence.
Senator Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the incident “shows how deep the distrust of government has grown,” but stopped short of condemning vaccine conspiracy theories outright.
Democrats countered that such rhetoric is part of the problem.
Public health experts worry this could embolden threats against their already stretched workforce.
“This was the nightmare scenario,” said Dr. Leah Simmons, a former CDC advisor.
“A symbol of public health turned into a target.”
Officer David Rose: A Life Cut Short
Rose, 42, had served with DeKalb County Police for over a decade.
Colleagues remember him as patient and calm under pressure — a mentor to younger officers.
“He was the guy you wanted next to you when things went sideways,” said Sgt. Bryan Matthews.
Rose leaves behind a wife and two children.
A memorial of flowers and handwritten notes now rests at the steps of the DeKalb precinct.
The department plans to hold a public vigil later this week.
Community Fear and Frustration
Residents living near the CDC campus say they’re shaken.
“It’s supposed to be one of the safest areas in the city,” said Monica Harper, who runs a small coffee shop nearby.
“I never thought something like this could happen here.”
Some shop owners are now reconsidering their security measures.
The pharmacy targeted in the attack has boarded up its shattered windows but remains closed.
Local leaders are urging calm but acknowledge that fear will linger.
“You can’t unhear those gunshots,” said Atlanta City Council member Jared Holman.
What Comes Next
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation continues to lead the probe, with federal agencies assisting.
Forensic teams are analyzing the firearms recovered from the scene.
Detectives are also examining whether White acted alone or had ties to extremist groups.
Officials expect to release more details in the coming days, including toxicology results and any relevant mental health history.
For now, the motives — beyond his own stated grievances — remain partly in shadow.
