CDC Shooter Allegedly Blamed COVID-19 Vaccine for Illness — Cop Killed in Deadly Attack

A deadly shootout outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rocked Georgia, leaving one police officer dead and raising disturbing questions about the shooter’s reported grudge against the COVID-19 vaccine.

Authorities say 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, of Georgia, opened fire Thursday afternoon near the CDC headquarters in Atlanta. According to multiple reports, White believed the vaccine had made him seriously ill — a fixation his family said had consumed him for months.

Law enforcement sources told the New York Times that White’s father had called police just days before the shooting, warning them his son was suicidal. “He was obsessed with the vaccine,” one investigator said. “He believed it ruined his health.”

A law enforcement official speaking to CNN confirmed the COVID-19 vaccine was being considered as a potential motive. While police have not officially ruled on the shooter’s intent, investigators are looking closely at whether the CDC itself was his target.

The attack unfolded at a CVS pharmacy near Emory University, in a shopping center often crowded with students. Witnesses say White began firing from inside the store toward CDC offices, shattering windows and sending people scrambling for cover.

“He was shooting toward the CDC like he had a score to settle,” said Michael Grant, who was eating lunch nearby when the gunfire erupted. “People were screaming and diving behind cars.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that “at least four CDC buildings” were hit by bullets. Officers rushed to the scene, engaging in a shootout with White, who was later found dead on the second floor of the CVS. Officials have not said whether he was killed by police gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.

One of the responding officers, David Rose of the DeKalb County Police Department, was mortally wounded. Rose, 34, was a father of two young children, with a third on the way.

“This is the ultimate sacrifice,” said President Donald Trump in a statement from the White House Friday morning. “Officer Rose gave his life protecting others. He is an American hero, and my administration will ensure his family is taken care of.”

Rose’s death has sparked an outpouring of grief across the law enforcement community. “He was one of the best — a devoted officer, a loving father, and a true friend,” said DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos. “Our hearts are broken.”

CDC Director Susan Monarez posted on social media, honoring Rose and thanking officers for their rapid response. “Our top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC,” she wrote. “We are working closely with federal, state, and local partners to fully investigate this tragic incident.”

The shooting comes at a time when distrust of the CDC remains high among many Americans, particularly over its handling of the pandemic and vaccine mandates during the Biden years. Conservative lawmakers have long criticized the agency for what they call “politicized science” and “overreach into Americans’ lives.”

Georgia Congressman Mark Green said Friday, “This tragedy underscores the deep erosion of public trust in our institutions. While nothing justifies violence, we must have transparency and accountability from the agencies that shape national health policy.”

The investigation remains ongoing, with the GBI warning it will take weeks to determine exactly what led White to open fire.