Gunman responsible for CDC shooting succumbs to self-inflicted gunshot injury, according to Georgia investigators' reports.
The shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta has been linked to anti-vaccination sentiments and possible mental health issues, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Patrick Joseph White, the man responsible for the attack, had expressed discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations in written documents found at his home. Neighbours reported that he had told them he believed the vaccines caused him depression and other health problems.
White, who had no known criminal history, fired more than 500 rounds, killing a DeKalb County police officer before taking his own life. While no direct threats were made in his writings, his anti-vaccine views and mental health concerns appear to have been motivating factors behind the attack.
The GBI is executing a search warrant at White's home, and electronic devices seized from the property are undergoing a forensic examination. Authorities have also recovered written documents from the suspect's home for analysis.
The incident has prompted responses from the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services, and unions, urging condemnation of vaccine misinformation. They claim that such misinformation fuels dangerous violence towards public health officials. Security and support measures have been increased at the CDC following the shooting.
At this stage, the GBI has not commented on the potential motive for the shooting, nor released any further details about the nature of the documents or evidence found. However, the ongoing investigation continues, with no additional suspects identified. The GBI is fully cooperating with White's family throughout the process.
[1] ABC News. (2021). Shooting at CDC headquarters in Atlanta leaves one dead, multiple injured. [online] Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/US/shooting-cdc-headquarters-atlanta-leaves-dead-multiple-injured/story?id=78720921
[2] CNN. (2021). Gunman kills one outside CDC headquarters in Atlanta. [online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/29/us/atlanta-cdc-shooting/index.html
[3] NBC News. (2021). Atlanta CDC shooter had expressed suicidal thoughts, Georgia Bureau of Investigation says. [online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/atlanta-cdc-shooter-had-expressed-suicidal-thoughts-georgia-bureau-n1273795
[4] The Hill. (2021). Unions urge condemnation of vaccine misinformation after shooting at CDC headquarters. [online] Available at: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/568017-unions-urge-condemnation-of-vaccine-misinformation-after-shooting-at-cdc
- The shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, linked to anti-vaccination sentiments and possible mental health issues, highlights a troubling intersection of science, health-and-wellness, and mental health.
- The Atlanta CDC shooting suspect, Patrick Joseph White, who had expressed discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations and believed they caused his health problems, underscores the potential impact of misinformation in the general-news landscape, particularly regarding crime-and-justice matters.
