In a harrowing incident that has left Atlanta and the nation reeling, 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia, unleashed a barrage of gunfire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters last Friday, killing a responding police officer and ultimately dying inside a nearby CVS pharmacy.
### The Attack Unfolds
At approximately 4:50 p.m. on August 8, 2025, White attempted to enter the CDC campus but was turned away by security. Moments later, he opened fire from across the street, targeting multiple CDC buildings. Over **500 shell casings** were recovered from the scene, with nearly **200 rounds striking six buildings**, shattering more than **150 windows** and doors. The attack prompted an immediate lockdown of the CDC and nearby Emory University.
White then stormed the Emory Point CVS, where he was confronted by DeKalb County Police Officer **David Rose**, 33, a former Marine and recent police academy graduate. Rose was fatally shot during the exchange and later died at Emory University Hospital. White was found dead on the second floor of the CVS, with investigators confirming he died from a **self-inflicted gunshot wound**.
### The Suspect: A Troubled Mind
Investigators revealed that White had no prior criminal history but had a documented history of **suicidal ideation** and **domestic disturbances**. His father, Kenneth White, had contacted authorities multiple times expressing concern over his son’s mental state and possible involvement in the shooting.
Inside White’s residence, law enforcement recovered **written documents expressing deep discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations**, which he reportedly blamed for his deteriorating mental health. Neighbors described him as “unsettled,” often engaging in anti-vaccine monologues on his porch. Authorities confirmed that the five firearms used in the attack belonged to White’s father and had been secured in a safe that White forcibly accessed.
### The Aftermath and Response
The CDC campus was left scarred—physically and emotionally. Employees were advised to work remotely as the damage is assessed, with cleanup and repairs expected to take weeks. More than **90 children** at the CDC’s daycare were safely evacuated, though many staff members reported trauma and anxiety.
Health and Human Services Secretary **Robert F. Kennedy Jr.** visited the site, meeting with Officer Rose’s widow and CDC Director **Susan Monarez**, who described the attack as “heartbreaking.” Kennedy stated, “No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.”
However, CDC staff and union representatives criticized the federal response, calling for **enhanced security measures**, including bulletproof glass, armed perimeter guards, and improved emergency protocols. Some employees expressed frustration over what they perceived as insufficient leadership and condemned the **anti-vaccine rhetoric** they believe contributed to the attack.
### ️ Honoring Officer David Rose
Officer Rose is remembered as a hero who gave his life protecting others. He leaves behind a **pregnant wife and two children**. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said, “This evening, there is a wife without a husband. There are three children, one unborn, without a father.”
His sacrifice has sparked calls for greater support for law enforcement and public health workers facing increasing threats in a polarized climate.
### ⚠️ A Nation Reflects
As investigators continue to piece together the motive and circumstances behind the shooting, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the volatile intersection between public health, misinformation, and mental health. The CDC, a symbol of scientific progress, became the epicenter of a tragedy fueled by distrust and despair.
The nation mourns the loss of Officer Rose and grapples with the deeper implications of this violent act—one that has left bullet holes not just in buildings, but in the collective psyche of a community dedicated to healing.
