Officer Killed, Gunman Dead in Shooting at CDC Headquarters
A shooting at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta resulted in the death of Officer David Rose and the gunman, Patrick Joseph White, who damaged multiple buildings.
Overview
A shooting incident unfolded at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, triggering a significant law enforcement response to the campus.
Authorities identified the suspect as Patrick Joseph White, 30, from Kennesaw, Georgia, who was heavily armed with a long gun and three other firearms during the incident.
White opened fire, striking windows across at least four CDC buildings and a nearby CVS, causing visible damage during his shooting spree.
Tragically, Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old former Marine and recent police academy graduate, was shot and killed while bravely responding to the scene.
The gunman, Patrick Joseph White, was later found deceased on the second floor of a building across from the CDC campus, bringing the incident to a close.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by establishing a direct link between the shooter's vaccine distrust and a broader climate of hostility against the CDC. They emphasize how political rhetoric and misinformation, particularly from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., contribute to the "villainization" of federal workers and science, portraying the shooting as a consequence of this environment.
Articles (15)
FAQ
Patrick Joseph White was a 30-year-old man from Kennesaw, Georgia, identified as the gunman in the CDC shooting. He lived with his parents, worked as a handyman, and had expressed strong distrust of COVID-19 vaccines in recent months.
Patrick Joseph White displayed erratic behavior and deeply believed that COVID-19 vaccines were harmful to him and others, which neighbors reported he frequently discussed. This distrust of vaccines is considered a likely motive in the shooting.
Officer David Rose, a 33-year-old former Marine and recent police academy graduate, was shot and killed while courageously responding to the shooting at the CDC headquarters.
Patrick Joseph White was found deceased on the second floor of a building across from the CDC campus, specifically inside a CVS. It is unclear if his death was caused by officers' gunfire or was self-inflicted.
Patrick Joseph White’s family was aware of his troubling behavior, with reports indicating his father contacted police before the attack, suggesting concern prior to the shooting.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.