The attempted attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta was a chilling event that could have been even more devastating. Investigators believe that the shooter, Patrick Joseph White, attempted to enter the CDC campus days before the shooting, conducting reconnaissance for his planned attack. Security camera footage shows White trying to enter the visitor’s center on August 6, but he was turned away by CDC security.
Fortunately, due to the CDC’s existing security protocols, White did not attempt to enter the campus on August 8, the day of the shooting. During the attack, White fired hundreds of rounds at the CDC campus from across the street, causing damage to several buildings. However, thanks to blast-resistant glass in the buildings, many of the rounds were stopped, preventing any CDC staff from being injured.
Tragically, a police officer named David Rose was killed during the shooting. Despite the trauma of the event, CDC employees have returned to work in person, with cleanup efforts underway on the Atlanta campus. The motive behind the attack was White’s anger over the Covid-19 vaccine, according to CDC officials. While White’s father cited mental illness as a factor, the incident has sparked concerns about the safety of CDC employees.
In response to the shooting, the CDC has increased security measures across its campuses and reassured staff of their safety. Agency leaders have addressed staff concerns about vulnerabilities and have promised to take action to ensure the security of the agency. However, specific security details cannot be shared while the investigation is ongoing.
The shooting has also led to calls for health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop spreading misinformation that demonizes public health workers. More than 750 current and former HHS staff signed an open letter urging Kennedy to cease his anti-vaccine rhetoric. The incident has become an early test for CDC Director Susan Monarez and Kennedy, who has a history of anti-vaccine activism.
Despite his past remarks, Kennedy has voiced support for the CDC and public health workers in the wake of the shooting. He praised their dedication and service, emphasizing the importance of standing with them during moments of grief and uncertainty. As the CDC continues to recover from the attack, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees while addressing the broader issues of misinformation and security concerns.
