CDC attacker likely attempted to enter campus: internal email
The recent attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has raised concerns about security measures at the agency. Investigators believe that the shooter, identified as Patrick Joseph White, attempted to enter the CDC campus days before the shooting. Security camera footage shows White trying to enter the visitor’s center on August 6, but he was turned away by CDC security without incident. This incident suggests that White was conducting reconnaissance for the shooting, which took place two days later.
Fortunately, no CDC staff were injured in the shooting, but a police officer, David Rose, tragically lost his life. White fired hundreds of rounds at the CDC campus from across the street, with many rounds being stopped by blast-resistant glass in the buildings. The CDC employees were placed on lockdown during and after the shooting, and cleanup is currently underway on the campus.
White targeted the CDC because of his anger towards the Covid-19 pandemic and the vaccine. His father mentioned mental illness as a contributing factor to the shooting. In response to the incident, the CDC has increased security measures across its campuses and reassured staff of their safety. However, concerns have been raised about the agency’s vulnerabilities, prompting internal discussions about security protocols.
The shooting has also prompted calls for health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop spreading misinformation and demonizing public health workers. Over 750 current and former HHS staff signed an open letter urging Kennedy to address the issue. The incident has tested the leadership of CDC’s new director, Susan Monarez, and Kennedy, who has a history of anti-vaccine activism.
Despite his past remarks, Kennedy has expressed support for the CDC and public health workers in the aftermath of the shooting. He emphasized the dedication and service of public health workers in a social media post following the attack. As the investigation into the shooting continues, the CDC and its staff are focused on enhancing security measures and ensuring the safety of all employees.
