• Suspect Patrick Joseph White believed the COVID-19 vaccine caused his mental health issues.
• The shooting left police officer David Rose dead and involved over 180 shots fired.
• Authorities found written documents expressing White's discontent with the vaccinations.
• The attack has sparked criticism of public figures and heightened concerns over vaccine misinformation.
• CDC employees are under heightened security as investigations continue.

The shooting that occurred at the CDC headquarters on August 8, 2025, was executed by Patrick Joseph White, who believed that the COVID-19 vaccine had made him sick and depressed. Investigators reported that he had a history of mental health struggles and had become increasingly vocal in his grievances regarding the vaccine, claiming it had caused significant health issues, according to ABC News and BBC.

White fired over 180 rounds at the CDC, fatally shooting officer David Rose, who responded to the scene. Reports indicate that White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the attack, which caused damage to multiple buildings and shattered windows, leaving no civilian casualties, as stated by Al Jazeera and BBC.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigations indicated that evidence collected from White's residence reflected his anger toward the COVID-19 vaccinations. He had expressed suicidal thoughts prior to the shooting, with a neighbor noting that his mental state deteriorated after his vaccination, according to ABC News and Al Jazeera.

This incident has prompted significant criticism towards political figures who have contributed to vaccine skepticism, particularly through misinformation. The union representing CDC employees has called for stronger condemnation of vaccine disinformation, highlighting that this environment contributed to the circumstances surrounding the attack, as reported by Al Jazeera and BBC.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the CDC has mandated that most employees work remotely while federal and local law enforcement agencies conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and monitor threats against the agency and its employees, as noted by ABC News and Al Jazeera.