CDC Headquarters Shooting Leaves Officer Dead, 180 Shots Fired, and Extensive Damage

People leave flowers Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, at a makeshift memorial in honor of David Rose, the officer who was killed in the shooting at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta

A gunman opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta on Friday, unleashing more than 180 rounds and shattering about 150 windows, including blast-resistant panes that sent shards of glass into multiple rooms. According to internal agency communications, at least four buildings were struck, with Building 21—home to CDC Director Susan Monarez’s office—sustaining the most damage.

Authorities identified the shooter as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, a Georgia man who had publicly blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for causing depression and suicidal thoughts. The attack began at the CDC campus, where no employees were injured, but White fatally shot DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose before being stopped by security guards. He then drove to a nearby pharmacy and opened fire again before later dying. Officials have not confirmed whether White was killed by police or died by suicide.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accompanied by HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and Director Monarez, toured the damaged campus on Monday. Broken windows were visible across several buildings, including the main security booth. Kennedy also met with DeKalb County’s police chief and held a private meeting with Officer Rose’s widow.

In response to the attack, CDC employees have been advised to work remotely this week. Union representatives are calling for stronger security measures, including more heavily armed guards, bulletproof glass, improved alert systems, and better evacuation planning for disabled and vulnerable staff.

The incident has heightened safety concerns among public health workers. Yolanda Jacobs, president of Local 2883 of the American Federation of Government Employees, said staff are becoming less visible, avoiding wearing uniforms in public, and steering clear of health-related conversations with strangers. Retired CDC official Stephan Monroe expressed concern that the attack could discourage young scientists from pursuing government work.

Public health leaders have pointed to the role of misinformation in fueling hostility toward health agencies. Tim Young, a recently retired CDC employee, said years of false rhetoric about vaccines have damaged public trust and contributed to violent incidents. Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams stressed that leaders must recognize the consequences of their statements, warning that repeated false claims about vaccine safety can lead to dangerous outcomes.

The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and repairs could take weeks or months to complete. Federal officials have pledged ongoing support for CDC staff during the recovery process.