Alleged Shooter at CDC Harbored Beef over Covid Vaccine according to Sources
Tragedy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Investigation Reveals Suspect's Anti-Vaccine Conspiracy Beliefs
A shooting incident at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta headquarters on August 8, 2025, has left one CDC employee dead and several others injured. The suspect, identified as Patrick White, opened fire with five guns, firing over 500 rounds and striking several buildings on the campus.
The investigation into the tragic event has revealed that White, a 30-year-old man from Georgia, harboured grievances and conspiracy-minded beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccine. Neighbours reported his repeated complaints about the vaccine causing him harm, as well as his belief that the government and media were hiding the truth about vaccine-related adverse effects. Written documents found at his home further corroborated these claims.
White is believed to have expressed a fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine as a source of his grievances. He blamed the vaccine for causing him depression, weight loss, and gastrointestinal problems. DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was fatally shot while responding to the reported gunfire. White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or possibly law enforcement gunfire.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe into the shooting but declined to comment on a potential motive. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum confirmed the incident at a press conference. The CDC has instructed all employees nationwide, except for essential on-site personnel, to work remotely on Monday.
Authorities and CDC employee representatives have condemned the violent attack and highlighted how vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories around COVID-19 fueled the suspect's discontent, posing serious risks to public health officials' safety. The investigation remains ongoing, but preliminary findings clearly indicate a vaccine misinformation-driven motive behind this tragic violence.
It's important to note that long-term adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines are generally very rare, according to the CDC. Though the vaccines have been politicized and subject to misinformation, experts say they are safe and effective. Intensive monitoring of all potential threats to the CDC and its staff, current and past, is being conducted by federal and local law enforcement.
Infectious disease experts maintain that mRNA vaccines like those used against COVID-19 have been studied for decades and were instrumental in saving lives during the pandemic. They urge the public to rely on scientific evidence and official health guidance when making decisions about their health and well-being.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories. It underscores the importance of relying on credible sources for health information and the need for ongoing efforts to combat misinformation and promote public health.
[1] CNN, "CDC shooting: Suspect in Georgia CDC shooting identified, had written about vaccine conspiracy theories," August 9, 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/09/health/cdc-shooting-suspect-id-vaccine-conspiracy/index.html
[2] NBC News, "CDC shooting: Suspect in Georgia CDC shooting had written about vaccine conspiracy theories," August 9, 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-shooting-suspect-georgia-cdc-shooting-had-written-about-vaccine-n1281983
[3] Associated Press, "CDC shooting: Suspect in Georgia CDC shooting had written about vaccine conspiracy theories," August 9, 2025. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/cdc-shooting-georgia-vaccine-conspiracy-theories-2a49b86c65368a16e56e01159a869512
[4] Washington Post, "CDC shooting: Suspect in Georgia CDC shooting had written about vaccine conspiracy theories," August 9, 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/08/09/cdc-shooting-georgia-suspect-vaccine-conspiracy-theories/
- The investigation showed that Patrick White, the suspect of the CDC shooting, had beliefs in anti-vaccine conspiracies.
- White's neighbors reported his repeated complaints about the COVID-19 vaccine causing him harm and his allegations that the government and media were hiding the truth about vaccine adverse effects.
- White was fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine as a source of his grievances, blaming it for his depression, weight loss, and gastrointestinal problems.
- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation found written documents at White's home that further corroborated his anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.
- The tragic event at the CDC has highlighted the risks that vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories pose to public health officials' safety.
- Intensive monitoring of threats to the CDC and its staff, both current and past, is being conducted by federal and local law enforcement.
- Infectious disease experts emphasize that mRNA vaccines like those used against COVID-19 have been studied for decades and have played a crucial role in saving lives during the pandemic.
- Social media platforms should be vigilant in regulating the spread of vaccine misinformation to prevent future tragedies like the one at the CDC.
- Furthermore, policy-and-legislation processes should be initiated to combat the proliferation of misinformation online, ensuring the safety and well-being of the public in the face of health crises like COVID-19.
