On Friday, August 8, 2025, tragedy struck the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta when a gunman opened fire on the campus, killing DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose and injuring another officer. The shooter, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, was armed with five guns, including at least one long gun, and fired dozens of bullets at four CDC buildings from the second floor of a building across the street. Authorities say White had attempted to enter the CDC’s campus but was turned away. He died at the scene following the attack.
According to law enforcement and statements from the agency, CDC employees were forced into hours of lockdown, sheltering in place as the attack unfolded. Though none were physically harmed, many have since described experiencing terror and trauma as a result of the ordeal. The psychological toll on staff has been significant, with the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883 describing the event as "deeply disturbing, completely unacceptable and an attack on every public servant." The union also emphasized that "this tragedy was not random and it compounds months of mistreatment, neglect and vilification that CDC staff have endured."
Investigators revealed that White’s father had contacted police prior to the attack, reporting that his son was in mental distress and had become fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine, blaming it for his own and others’ illnesses. This detail has fueled concerns within the public health community about the dangers posed by vaccine misinformation and the politicization of public health issues.
CDC Director Susan Monarez issued a statement Friday evening, expressing heartbreak over the attack and reaffirming that the agency’s "top priority is the safety and well-being of everyone at CDC." In the aftermath, the CDC organized a large group call for employees on Saturday morning. During this meeting, staff questioned leadership about plans to address the "misinformation that caused this issue" and raised concerns about their ongoing safety. Monarez reportedly gave indirect responses, and the meeting took place before any public statement from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy, a prominent skeptic of COVID-19 vaccines and vocal critic of the CDC, waited more than 18 hours before issuing a public statement. His delay drew sharp criticism from former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who served under President Donald Trump during his first administration. In an op-ed published by Stat and in appearances on CBS News’s "Face the Nation," Adams blasted Kennedy’s response as "delayed and tepid," saying it "demoralized" CDC staff who already felt abandoned. "A leader’s response to crises defines them," Adams wrote on X. "RFK’s rhetoric lit the match, his policies poured gasoline and he went fishing while public health burned. America deserves leaders who unite and prioritize science and safety."
Adams linked the attack to a broader climate of hostility toward public health workers, fueled by misinformation, politicization, and inflammatory rhetoric. He cited Kennedy’s own past statements, which have included calling the CDC’s vaccine division a "fascist enterprise" and comparing alleged cover-ups of vaccine-related harms to the Catholic Church’s handling of child sex abuse scandals. Adams argued that repeated rhetoric from influential voices like Kennedy has portrayed health professionals as "corrupt, untrustworthy, or outright malicious," labeling them "grifters," "enemies of the people," and worse. He called on federal leadership to "condemn rhetoric that vilifies public health professionals, to stop scapegoating public frustration onto health professionals, protect health care workers and to fund actionable solutions instead of just messaging."
CDC employees and public health advocates echoed Adams’s concerns. The union representing federal workers in Atlanta called for "a clear and unequivocal stance in condemning vaccine disinformation by CDC and HHS leadership" and advocated for workplace flexibilities and access to mental health resources for traumatized staff. Most CDC personnel assigned to the attacked campus were allowed to telework for the week following the attack, and additional safety and security measures were announced ahead of their return.
Despite the mounting pressure, Kennedy’s initial response to the shooting was limited to reposting a statement from CDC Director Monarez on social media. Only later did he issue his own statement, writing, "We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others. We are actively supporting CDC staff on the ground and across the agency. Public health workers show up every day with purpose—even in moments of grief and uncertainty."
This statement did little to quell criticism, especially after it was revealed that Kennedy had posted photos of a fishing trip on his personal X account before addressing the tragedy. As reported by multiple outlets, this sequence of events left many CDC employees feeling further demoralized and unsupported by federal leadership. Dr. Megan Ranney, Dean of the Yale School of Public Health, remarked that "the assault was the natural consequence of people demonizing other people, and of people demonizing public health. The online incitement and (often) falsehoods have real consequences. When an entire sector is actively dehumanized, yelled at and threatened, the verbal threats are bound to spill over into physical harm at some point."
On Monday, August 11, 2025, Health and Human Services Communications Director Andrew Nixon issued a statement reinforcing Kennedy’s condemnation of the attack. "Secretary Kennedy has unequivocally condemned the horrific attack and remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of CDC employees," Nixon said. "He extends his deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Officer David Rose, who was tragically killed. Officer Rose’s sacrifice to protect the CDC on its darkest day will never be forgotten. This is a time to stand in solidarity with our public health workforce, not a moment for the media to exploit a tragedy for political gain."
The department also announced that Kennedy visited the CDC headquarters on Monday, where he toured the damaged buildings, met with DeKalb County Police and Officer Rose’s widow, and discussed additional safety measures with agency leaders. Meanwhile, some groups, including "Fired but Fighting"—a coalition of former HHS employees—called for Kennedy’s immediate resignation, blaming his rhetoric for fueling "a climate of hostility and mistrust."
As the CDC community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the attack, the debate over the role of misinformation and political rhetoric in stoking violence against public health workers has intensified. Calls for stronger federal condemnation of vaccine disinformation and for tangible support for traumatized staff have grown louder, underscoring the urgent need for leadership that prioritizes both science and the safety of those serving on the public health front lines.
For many, Officer David Rose’s sacrifice stands as a stark reminder of the real dangers faced by those who work to protect public health in a climate of growing mistrust and hostility.