CDC Shooter Blamed COVID Vaccine in Targeted Atlanta Attack

Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old man from Georgia who blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for causing him depression and suicidal thoughts, opened fire on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, killing DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, a former Marine. White attempted to enter the CDC building but was stopped by guards, then drove to a nearby pharmacy where he began shooting, damaging at least four CDC buildings. He was found dead at the scene, though it is unclear if his death was self-inflicted or caused by police. Sources indicate White struggled with mental health issues and had become fixated on conspiracy theories blaming the vaccine for his health problems. The CDC workers' union condemned vaccine misinformation, stating it endangers staff and called for federal officials to address it. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities describing the crime scene as complex and requiring extended examination.