CDC Shooting: 180 Shots Fired, Over 150 Windows Broken, and Extensive Damage Done

The CDC headquarters in Atlanta was attacked by a man who fired over 180 shots, breaking around 150 windows and shattering "blast-resistant" windows, with glass shards spattering into multiple rooms. The shooter, who blamed COVID-19 vaccines for his mental health issues, was stopped by CDC security guards and later died. The damage may take weeks or months to repair, with CDC employees advised to work from home this week.

In a shocking incident, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta was targeted by a shooter who opened fire on the premises on August 8, 2025. The shooter, identified as Patrick Joseph White, 30, blamed COVID-19 vaccines for his mental health issues and fired over 180 shots, breaking around 150 windows and shattering "blast-resistant" windows. The shooter was later stopped by CDC security guards and died.

The attack began just before 5 p.m. at the Emory Point CVS drugstore, located across from the main entrance to the CDC. The gunman, armed with two handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, and two backpacks filled with ammo, fired on at least four CDC buildings. The buildings house much of the non-lab work at the CDC. The shooting lasted for approximately 15 minutes, with at least 40 bullet holes found in two buildings, and a few in a third building.

The shooter, who was wearing a surgical mask, fired at the CDC complex and then turned his aim to a DeKalb County police officer, David Rose, who was shot and later died at a hospital. The attack resulted in no other casualties, but the incident has left CDC employees traumatized. CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry acknowledged the terror staffers experienced, whether they were in the building or not, saying leaders were "mad this happened."

The shooting occurred amid a turbulent period for the CDC, with the agency coming under fire during the second Trump administration due to conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine. The attack was targeted and deliberate, according to CDC leaders who briefed staff on a Zoom call over the weekend.

The CDC is currently advising employees to work from home this week while a security assessment is conducted. The damage may take weeks or months to repair, and the incident has highlighted the need for enhanced security measures at the CDC headquarters. The Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens, expressed his support for CDC employees, stating, "We are with you. We stand with you, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that we bring resolve to the situation."

The incident has sparked discussions about the potential impact of vaccine misinformation and the need for mental health support for individuals who may be struggling with such beliefs. The shooting has also raised questions about the safety of public health workers and the importance of addressing disinformation campaigns that target public health institutions.

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[1] https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/health/atlanta-cdc-shooting-covid-vaccine