Suspected CDC Gunman Attributed Depression to COVID Vaccine; Union Calls for Antagonism against Misleading Information
A shooting incident at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta has left one police officer dead and the community in shock. The shooter, identified as Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old Georgia man, was reportedly motivated by his belief that the COVID-19 vaccine was responsible for his mental health issues and physical symptoms[1][2].
The shooting took place outside the CDC headquarters on Friday, resulting in the death of a police officer, David Rose. Authorities are still investigating whether White was shot by law enforcement or if he inflicted his wounds upon himself.
White, who was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun, fired bullets at multiple CDC buildings, leaving bullet marks in windows across the sprawling campus[3]. At least four CDC buildings were hit during the incident.
The motive behind White's attack appears to be his deep-seated belief that the COVID-19 vaccine caused him harm. He believed that the media and government were not addressing the alleged side effects of the vaccine, including mental health problems and physical symptoms like weight loss and gastrointestinal issues[1].
The American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2883, is calling for a clear and unequivocal stance from the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services in condemning vaccine disinformation. They believe that the union's staff should not be required to work next to bullet holes or return to work under traumatic conditions[4].
The union is advocating for windows and buildings to be fixed and made completely secure before staff return to work. They are also calling for perimeter security on all CDC campuses until the investigation is fully completed and shared with staff.
Nancy Hoalst, a neighbor of White, stated that White deeply believed vaccines were harmful to him and others. She expressed that White had shared his distrust of COVID-19 vaccines in unrelated conversations[5].
It is important to note that White's father reported that White was upset over the death of his dog. However, the investigation into the shooting is complex and will take an extended period of time to fully understand the motives behind this tragic event.
Thousands of people who work on critical disease research are employed on the CDC campus, including more than 90 young children who were locked down during the shooting. The community is left to mourn the loss of Officer Rose and hope for a swift resolution to this ongoing investigation.
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/12/us/atlanta-cdc-shooting-suspect-id/index.html
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/atlanta-shooting-suspect-identified-cdc-officials-say-he-had-fixation-rcna36352
[3] https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/atlanta-cdc-shooting-suspect-identified-patrick-white-5-guns-4-buildings-hit/
[4] https://www.cbs4indy.com/local-news/cdc-union-calls-for-perimeter-security-after-shooting/
[5] https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/neighbor-alleged-cdc-shooter-patrick-white-had-deep-belief-vaccines-were-harmful-20220512/
- The shooting at the CDC headquarters was allegedly due to Patrick White's belief that his mental health issues and physical symptoms were caused by the COVID-19 vaccine, which he felt were being ignored by the media and government.
- The American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2883, is urging the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services to take a firm stance against vaccine misinformation, as they believe their staff should not have to work in an environment with bullet holes or under traumatic conditions.
- The shooting incident at the CDC has raised concern about mental health, as the shooter, Patrick White, appeared to be deeply distrustful of vaccines, and his neighbor, Nancy Hoalst, has confirmed this belief in unrelated conversations.
