CDC Headquarters Suffers Extensive Damage in Violent Attack, Calls for Enhanced Security
CDC Headquarters Suffers Extensive Damage in Violent Attack, Calls for Enhanced Security
Atlanta, GA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters was the scene of a violent attack last Friday, where an assailant fired over 180 shots into the campus, shattering approximately 150 windows, some of which were blast-resistant. Bullets penetrated numerous rooms, scattering glass shards and causing widespread damage that could take months to repair.
The perpetrator, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Georgia, reportedly blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his depression and suicidal thoughts. He opened fire late Friday, tragically killing a police officer. CDC security guards intercepted the shooter before he drove to a nearby pharmacy and continued firing. White later died, though authorities have not yet confirmed if his death was at the hands of police or self-inflicted.
In the aftermath, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. toured the damaged CDC campus on Monday, accompanied by HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and CDC Director Susan Monarez. Kennedy also met with the DeKalb County Police chief and privately with the widow of the fallen officer, David Rose. Monarez had confirmed Friday night that at least four CDC buildings were struck in the assault, with Building 21, housing her office, sustaining the most hits.
As a direct consequence of the attack, CDC employees have been advised to work remotely this week. Unionized staff are now advocating for increased security measures, including more heavily armed guards, bulletproof glass, improved alert systems, and comprehensive evacuation plans for vulnerable personnel. The incident has also sparked a broader discussion on the long-term impact of anti-vaccine rhetoric on public health workers, with former officials expressing concerns about a ‘generational hit’ to the willingness of young scientists to join government service.
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