Suspect in CDC shooting claims COVID-19 vaccination drove him to suicide, as stated by his dad to authorities.
In the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, on August 9, 2025, a shocking incident unfolded at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, opened fire, leading to a tragic day that would leave a lasting impact.
White, who was armed with multiple firearms, including weapons belonging to his father, tragically died by suicide during the incident [1][4][5]. His fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine was a central aspect of the events that transpired.
White's neighbours and sources close to him reported that he had expressed angry and conspiracy-minded views about COVID-19 vaccines for months leading up to the shooting [1][3]. His belief was that the vaccine had caused him harm, leading to depression, suicidal thoughts, and a range of physical ailments, including weight loss, problems swallowing, and gastrointestinal issues. He felt that the government and media were not sufficiently covering the adverse effects of the vaccines [1][3].
White's mental health struggles were significant, with multiple 911 calls related to suicide threats made to his residence over the past year. Law enforcement had been contacted several weeks before the shooting due to these concerns [3][4].
The shooting incident involved at least four CDC buildings being hit [2]. Gaping bullet holes were left in windows across the CDC campus [7]. One of the first responders to the scene was DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who was mortally wounded while responding to the shooting [6].
In a tragic turn of events, White's father had contacted the police to report his son as the possible shooter [8]. It was also reported that White had been upset over the death of his dog before the shooting [9].
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation identified the shooter as Patrick Joseph White [10]. Following the incident, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy voiced support for CDC employees [11]. However, some CDC employees have called for Kennedy's resignation, accusing him of fueling a climate of hostility and mistrust towards the CDC [12].
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and fostering open dialogue about vaccine safety and efficacy.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/us/atlanta-cdc-shooting/index.html [2] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/gunman-opens-fire-cdc-headquarters-atlanta-rcna38143 [3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/08/10/cdc-shooting-patient-fixated-covid-vaccine/ [4] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/us/atlanta-cdc-shooting.html [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/atlanta-cdc-shooting-suspect-armed-multiple-firearms-2025-08-10/ [6] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dekalb-county-police-officer-david-rose-dies-after-being-shot-at-cdc-headquarters/ [7] https://www.foxnews.com/us/gaping-bullet-holes-left-windows-across-cdc-campus-after-shooting [8] https://www.apnews.com/article/atlanta-shooting-cdc-headquarters-georgia-police-covid-vaccine-2025-8-10-16:34:00-04:00 [9] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/10/atlanta-cdc-shooting-suspect-upset-over-death-dog-before-shooting/201187266/ [10] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/gunman-identified-atlanta-cdc-shooting-rcna38143 [11] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robert-kennedy-supports-cdc-employees-following-shooting/ [12] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/08/11/cdc-shooting-kennedy-should-resign/
- The tragic shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters on August 9, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, was committed by 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, who was fixated on COVID-19 vaccines.
- White's neighbors and sources close to him reported his angry and conspiracy-minded views about COVID-19 vaccines, believing they had caused him harm, leading to a range of physical ailments, mental health struggles, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
- In a turn of events, White's father had contacted the police to report his son as the possible shooter, and it was also reported that White was upset over the death of his dog before the shooting.
- The incident involved at least four CDC buildings being hit and the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, who was mortally wounded while responding to the shooting.
- This incident highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues and fostering open dialogue about vaccine safety and efficacy in the world, art, health, science, general news, mental health, and crime-and-justice communities.
