Man from Georgia Accuses COVID Vaccine for Causing His Depression, Fires Upon CDC Headquarters
In a tragic turn of events, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta was the site of a shooting incident on August 9, 2025. The gunman, identified as Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old man from Kennesaw, Georgia, was found dead at the scene[1][2][3].
The investigation into the shooting is expected to take an extended period of time, with law enforcement still piecing together the events that led to the incident[3]. Preliminary reports suggest that White had a fixation on the COVID-19 vaccine and believed it to be the cause of his illness and depression[3].
Written documentation found in White’s home expressed his discontent and distrust of the COVID-19 vaccine, though no direct threats were made[3]. He reportedly shared these views with people who knew him, including neighbor Nancy Hoalst, who stated that he was deeply convinced that vaccines hurt him and others[3].
Despite his strong beliefs, Hoalst never believed White would be violent[3]. However, White had recently verbalized suicidal thoughts, and law enforcement had been contacted weeks before the shooting[3]. The motive appears linked to his anger and distrust regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, which he wanted the public to be aware of according to the investigation[3].
The shooting left one casualty, DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan[1][2]. Officer Rose was mortally wounded while responding to the incident.
Thousands of people who work on critical disease research are employed on the CDC campus, and the union representing them, the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2883, has called for a clear and unequivocal stance from the CDC and leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services in condemning vaccine disinformation[4].
In the aftermath of the shooting, the union has demanded that windows and buildings be fixed and made "completely secure" before staff return to work[5]. They have also demanded "perimeter security on all campuses" until the investigation is fully completed and shared with staff[5]. The union further stated that CDC staff should not be required to immediately return to work after the traumatic event, as it risks re-traumatizing them by exposing them to reminders of the shooting[6].
Moreover, Fired But Fighting, a group of laid-off CDC employees, has accused HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of villainizing the CDC's workforce through "his continuous lies about science and vaccine safety"[7].
The shooting incident resulted in bullet marks in windows across the sprawling CDC campus, with at least four CDC buildings being hit[1][2]. More than 90 young children were locked down inside the CDC's Clifton School during the incident[1].
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic event.
References: 1. CBS News 2. NBC News 3. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 4. CBS News 5. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 6. CBS News 7. Fired But Fighting
- Amidst the ongoing investigation, the science community is concerned about the potential impact of the shooting incident on general-news reporting and public trust in health-and-wellness issues.
- The shooting has raised concerns about the connection between mental-health issues and incidents of violence, particularly in relation to vaccine-related misinformation.
- Due to the shooting, the discourse surrounding politics, specifically crime-and-justice, is now intertwined with discussions about the safety measures in place for federal institutions like the CDC.
- In an effort to ensure employee safety, discussions about science policy have been pushed to the forefront, with calls for increased health-and-wellness programs to address the mental health needs of federal employees.
