A violent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Atlanta headquarters on August 8, 2025, has left the public health community reeling. The shooter, Patrick Joseph White, 30, of Kennesaw, Georgia, fired more than 500 rounds, shattering 150 windows across six buildings on the Roybal Campus. The attack tragically claimed the life of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose, while no CDC employees were physically harmed.
The incident unfolded around 5 p.m., when White was first stopped by CDC security guards. He then drove to a CVS pharmacy across the street, where he opened fire from the sidewalk. Bullets pierced the campus’ “blast-resistant” windows, causing extensive damage. Authorities later recovered over 500 shell casings from the scene, according to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) official.
An active shooter alert forced CDC employees to shelter in place for several hours. Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, director of the CDC’s One Health Office, shared the experience on LinkedIn, emphasizing the tense hours staff spent in lockdown. White died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators later discovered documents at White’s home, where he lived with his parents, expressing his discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations, GBI Director Chris Hosey revealed during a press conference on August 12.
In response, Dr. Michael Bailey, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), issued a statement:
“On behalf of the AVMA, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of David Rose, the DeKalb County police officer who was killed while responding to the shooting. A former Marine, Officer Rose’s service, courage, and sacrifice will never be forgotten. We also express our heartfelt support for those impacted by this situation, including the more than 100 veterinarians who work at the CDC. Public service veterinarians, including those in government roles, make critical contributions to public health and our profession, and the AVMA is here to support them.”
On August 11, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visited the campus with HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and CDC Director Susan Monarez, according to an HHS press release. Kennedy expressed his condolences in an X post:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDC’s Atlanta campus that took the life of Officer David Rose. We stand with his wife, three children, and the entire CDC family.”
Most personnel at the Roybal Campus are working remotely this week. According to a CDC press release, additional security measures are being implemented in preparation for staff returning to the campus. HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard referred further inquiries to the GBI.
Source: https://www.avma.org/news/veterinarians-impacted-shooting-cdc-headquarters
