Deadly campus shooting linked to the spread of misinformation, according to CDC director
A deadly shooting at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta on Friday was reportedly motivated by misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. The suspect, 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, expressed angry and conspiracy-minded sentiments related to the vaccine, which he believed caused his physical and mental health problems.
White fired nearly 500 rounds at the CDC campus, killing a police officer before dying from gunshot wounds himself. It's unclear how many rounds came from the gunman and how many came from law enforcement exchanging gunfire.
White had a long gun that belonged to his father during the attack. He had no criminal history, according to authorities. Preliminary information indicates that DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose's injuries were caused by one of the gunman's weapons.
The specific sentiments expressed by White reflected a conspiracy-fueled mistrust and fear of COVID-19 vaccines. CDC Director Susan Monarez has explicitly condemned this misinformation, acknowledging that it "has now led to deadly consequences" and undermined trust in public health.
Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines has been linked by CDC leadership and public health officials to violent acts against health workers. Monarez sent a note to the CDC's more than 10,000 employees on Tuesday afternoon, stating that she would need their help to address the role of misinformation and restore trust in public health.
People who knew White reported that he lost weight, developed problems swallowing, and experienced gastrointestinal issues after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. However, serious health events after receiving the COVID-19 vaccines are rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
A search warrant of White's home found "written documentation" expressing his discontent with the COVID-19 vaccine. The document did not contain direct threats but allegedly White wanted to make the public aware of his discontent with and distrust of the vaccine.
The meeting with CDC employees, called by Director Susan Monarez, was intended to address the role of misinformation and restore trust in public health. However, the meeting was cut short due to technical difficulties.
Electronic devices seized during the investigation are currently undergoing digital forensic examination. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is examining the documentation and sharing it with the FBI Atlanta field office.
CDC employees have faced a cumulative toll from misinformation, political pressure, workforce instability, and now violence motivated by vaccine falsehoods. The agency's leadership has expressed concerns about ongoing misinformation campaigns, including those associated with political figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been criticized by CDC staffers for spreading inaccurate information that fuels public mistrust and endangers safety.
Monarez expressed her intention to restore trust in public health, stating that the dangers of misinformation and its promulgation have led to deadly consequences. White died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- The deadly shooting at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta was motivated by misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.
- CDC Director Susan Monarez has explicitly condemned this misinformation, acknowledging that it has now led to deadly consequences.
- Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines has been linked to violent acts against health workers.
- Monarez sent a note to the CDC's more than 10,000 employees, stating that she would need their help to address the role of misinformation and restore trust in public health.
- White had a long gun that belonged to his father during the attack and had no criminal history, according to authorities.
- People who knew White reported that he lost weight, developed problems swallowing, and experienced gastrointestinal issues after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- A search warrant of White's home found "written documentation" expressing his discontent with the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Electronic devices seized during the investigation are currently undergoing digital forensic examination.
- CDC employees have faced a cumulative toll from misinformation, political pressure, workforce instability, and now violence motivated by vaccine falsehoods.
- Monarez has expressed concerns about ongoing misinformation campaigns, including those associated with political figures like Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been criticized by CDC staffers for spreading inaccurate information.
- The suspect of the CDC shooting, Patrick Joseph White, expressed angry and conspiracy-minded sentiments related to the vaccine, which he believed caused his physical and mental health problems.
