As details in CDC shooting emerge, questions about suspect persist
A man opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, killing a police officer who tried to stop him, authorities said.
The shooter was identified by the GBI as Patrick Joseph White, of Kennesaw. The 30-year-old was found dead on the second floor of a CVS across the street from the CDC.
He had been struck by gunfire but authorities could not say whether it was self-inflicted or came from police.
DeKalb County police officer David Rose, who was the first officer to respond to the scene, was critically injured and later died at Emory University Hospital, police said.
CDC Director Susan Monarez confirmed that at least four buildings at the Atlanta-based public health agency had been struck in the shooting, which began shortly before 5 p.m. Friday. Photos showed multiple bullet holes in windows at the agency.
The CDC shooter blamed his health ailments on the COVID-19 vaccine, The New York Times and CNN reported, each quoting an unnamed official speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. The FBI referred all questions from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution to the GBI, who declined to comment.
A neighbor of White told the AJC he spoke frequently of his distrust of vaccines and believed they had harmed his health.
The incident prompted a lockdown on the Emory University campus and the CDC Friday.
Here’s the recap of the latest developments this weekend and our updates as the incident on Friday unfolded:
Follow the AJC’s coverage of the shooting at the CDC
A man opened fire on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, killing a police officer who tried to stop him, authorities said. Check back with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the latest breaking news, updates and insights on the developing news.
Here is the latest to catch up on:
Here’s how to help the family of the officer who was killed.
Live updates as details of the shooting emerged
Learn more about the officer: DeKalb officer killed in CDC shooting had close ties to Emory community
Watch: Police officer David Rose gave a moving speech at the DeKalb County Police Department’s graduation
A year of trauma: Shooting is yet another blow to CDC workers and alumni
A possible motive: CDC gunman might have been driven by mistrust of vaccines
Neighbors of CDC shooting suspect recall erratic behavior, no signs of violence
Watch: CDC shooter’s father called 911 multiple times the day of shooting
DeKalb officer becomes 4th from Georgia killed in line of duty this year
Reaction: Georgia politicians react to CDC shooting
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