Suspect in CDC shooting claims COVID vaccine led to suicidal thoughts, father discloses to authorities
The CDC headquarters in Atlanta was the scene of a shocking incident last week, when a gunman opened fire, leading to the tragic death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose. The shooter has been identified as Patrick Joseph White.
According to reports, White was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun, and tried to enter the CDC headquarters but was stopped by guards. The shooting resulted in the death of Officer Rose, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, and left a wife and three children, including an unborn child, mourning his loss.
Investigations have revealed that White had a history of vaccine skepticism. His neighbor, Nancy Hoalst, mentioned that White brought up vaccines even in unrelated conversations. White's father also contacted police and identified him as the possible shooter, stating that his son had been upset over the death of the son's dog and had become fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Hoalst, a family friend, stated that White believed vaccines hurt him and others. This vaccine skepticism is believed to have been a key factor in the shooting, though the full details of White's motive remain under investigation.
The CDC leadership has responded to the incident by telling some staff that they would do a full security assessment following the shooting. The CDC's security office has also asked employees to scrape old CDC parking decals off their vehicles.
The shooting left gaping bullet holes in windows across the CDC campus, and at least four CDC buildings were hit. The shooter later opened fire at a pharmacy across the street from the CDC headquarters. However, it is unclear if this was a targeted attack or a random act of violence.
CDC Director Susan Monarez made a statement about the shooting, expressing her condolences to the family of Officer Rose and the CDC community. She also emphasised the importance of maintaining the safety and security of the CDC campus.
In a heartfelt tribute, Officer Rose was described as having earned the respect of his colleagues for his dedication, courage, and professionalism. His loss is a reminder of the risks that law enforcement officers face every day in the line of duty.
[1] Source for White's vaccine skepticism: https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/18/us/cdc-shooting-suspect-identified/index.html [2] Source for White's motive: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/01/18/cdc-shooting-suspect-identified-patrick-joseph-white/
- The shocking incident at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta last week, which led to the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, has sparked discussions about security within the government and politics sphere.
- Reports indicate that the shooter, Patrick Joseph White, had a history of vaccine skepticism, a factor believed to have played a role in the tragic event.
- The weather in Seattle on the day of the shooting was relatively calm, but the climate of general news has been significantly affected, with crime and justice, health and wellness, and policy and legislation dominating headlines.
- Bellevue, a city not directly involved in the shooting, has expressed solidarity with the CDC community, emphasizing the importance of mental health policies in addressing such incidents.
- Science, in this context, has been applied to investigations, helping to identify White as the shooter and shedding light on his possible motives.
- The CDC, in response to the incident, has announced a full security assessment and the removal of old parking decals, aiming to improve the security of their campus in the future.
- The shooting incident, followed by the revelation of White's vaccine skepticism, has sparked debates on the intersection of politics, health, and public safety, with implications for policy-making in these areas.
