Deliberate and targeted assault occurred on CDC offices last Friday, as disclosed to staff members by CDC leaders
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta faced a tragic incident on August 8, 2025, as a gunman opened fire on its headquarters, resulting in one death and extensive damage.
The gunman, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, was armed with two handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, and two backpacks filled with ammunition. He fired nearly 500 rounds, targeting at least four CDC buildings, causing at least 40 bullet holes in two buildings and a few in a third building.
The shooting incident occurred just before 5 p.m. at the Emory Point CVS drugstore on Clifton Road. During the incident, DeKalb County police officer David Rose was shot and later died at a hospital. Officer Rose, 33, would have made one year on the job next month and was a married father of two, with another on the way.
The motive behind the shooting was specifically tied to opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine, highlighting the ongoing threats against the CDC linked to vaccine misinformation. The investigation into what led to the shooting is ongoing.
CDC employees have been under intense stress not only due to the violence but also facing layoffs and slashed funding over recent months, which has further affected morale within the agency. Some employees voiced grievances about the leadership’s support, citing the influence of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for promoting anti-vaccine views and actions since his appointment in February 2025, as undermining their work environment.
CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez publicly attributed the shooting’s deadly consequences to the spread of misinformation about vaccines and stressed efforts to restore public trust through science and evidence. Monarez also expressed condolences over the shooting and praised the work of public health workers.
In addition, the CDC is planning to work remotely on Monday for a "security assessment" and employee assistance personnel have been made available to workers. The HHS has cancelled federal funding for nearly two dozen mRNA vaccine projects, including half-a-billion dollars in investments, following Kennedy's criticism of Covid vaccinations and spread of vaccine misinformation.
The shooting and its connection to vaccine misinformation represent a significant escalation of threats against the CDC, reflecting broader societal tensions around COVID-19 and public health measures. Public health organizations, including the American Public Health Association, have issued statements condemning the attack and supporting CDC’s role in health protection.
CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry acknowledged the terror staffers experienced, saying leaders were "mad this happened." This recent history illustrates that threats against the CDC, particularly linked to COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, have intensified from misinformation dissemination to actual armed violence, compounded by organizational challenges including resource reductions.
- The tragic shooting at the CDC headquarters on August 8, 2025, was driven by opposition to the COVID-19 vaccine, highlighting the escalating threats against the CDC due to vaccine misinformation.
- CDC employees, already dealing with intensified organizational challenges such as layoffs and funding cuts, have felt the brunt of societal tensions surrounding COVID-19 and public health measures.
- Upon learning about the shooting's impact, CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez emphasized efforts to restore public trust through science and evidence, attributing the consequences to the spread of vaccine misinformation.
- In the wake of the shooting, the HHS has frozen federal funding for numerous mRNA vaccine projects, amid Kennedy's criticism of Covid vaccinations and continued dissemination of vaccine misinformation.
- Public health organizations such as the American Public Health Association have firmly condemned the attack on the CDC and reaffirmed their support for the CDC's role in health protection and general news, emphasizing the need for policy-and-legislation that prioritizes health-and-wellness, mental-health, and medical-conditions.
