Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news CDC Shooter Attributes Depression to COVID Vaccine; Union Calls for a Statement to Counter Misinformation
  • Local news

CDC Shooter Attributes Depression to COVID Vaccine; Union Calls for a Statement to Counter Misinformation

    CDC shooter blamed COVID vaccine for depression; union demands statement against misinformation
    Up next
    Rural Montana residents predicted bar massacre suspect's violent outburst: 'He will kill you'
    Residents in rural Montana had foreseen the violent behavior of the bar shooting suspect, warning others that “He will kill you.”
    Published on 10 August 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • against,
    • blamed,
    • cdc,
    • Coronavirus,
    • Covid,
    • Darin Schierbaum,
    • David Rose,
    • demands,
    • Depression,
    • for,
    • health,
    • misinformation,
    • Nancy Hoalst,
    • Robert F. Kennedy Jr,
    • shooter,
    • statement,
    • Susan Monarez,
    • U.S. news,
    • Union,
    • vaccine
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    A man from Georgia, who attributed his depression and suicidal thoughts to the COVID-19 vaccine, has been identified as the individual responsible for a shooting at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s headquarters. This incident resulted in the death of a police officer late Friday.

    The 30-year-old suspect, who lost his life in the ordeal, had attempted to enter the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters but was thwarted by security. He then proceeded to a pharmacy nearby and began shooting, a law enforcement official revealed to The Associated Press on Saturday.

    The shooter, named Patrick Joseph White, was carrying five firearms, including at least one long gun, according to the official, who spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to speak on the matter publicly.

    A union representing CDC employees claimed the event was deliberate and intensified the cumulative months of abuse and neglect endured by CDC staff. The union urged federal authorities to denounce misinformation about vaccines as it poses a danger to scientists.

    Here’s what to know about the shooting and the continuing investigation:

    An attack on a prominent public health institution

    Authorities reported that White fired shots outside the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters on Friday, damaging windows across the expansive facility. Director Susan Monarez stated on X that four CDC buildings sustained impacts.

    DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was critically injured in his response. Rose, aged 33, had a background as a Marine who served in Afghanistan and had recently graduated from the police academy in March.

    White was found on the second floor of a building across the street from the CDC campus and died at the scene, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said. He added that “we do not know at this time whether that was from officers or if it was self-inflicted.”

    The Georgia Bureau of Investigations said the crime scene was “complex” and the investigation would take “an extended period of time.”

    CDC union calls for condemnation of vaccine misinformation and tighter security

    The American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2883, said the CDC and leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services must provide a “clear and unequivocal stance in condemning vaccine disinformation.”

    Such a public statement by federal officials is needed to help prevent violence against scientists, the union said in a news release.

    “Their leadership is critical in reinforcing public trust and ensuring that accurate, science-based information prevails,” the union said.

    Fired But Fighting, a group of laid-off CDC employees, has said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is directly responsible for the villainization of CDC’s workforce through “his continuous lies about science and vaccine safety, which have fueled a climate of hostility and mistrust.”

    Kennedy reached out to staff on Saturday, saying “no one should face violence while working to protect the health of others.”

    Thousands of people who work on critical disease research are employed on the campus. The union said some staff were huddled in various buildings until late at night, including more than 90 young children who were locked down inside the CDC’s Clifton School.

    The union said CDC staff should not be required to immediately return to work after experiencing such a traumatic event. In a statement released Saturday, it said windows and buildings should first be fixed and made “completely secure.”

    “Staff should not be required to work next to bullet holes,” the union said. “Forcing a return under these conditions risks re-traumatizing staff by exposing them to the reminders of the horrific shooting they endured.”

    The union also called for “perimeter security on all campuses” until the investigation is fully completed and shared with staff.

    Shooter had fixation on COVID-19 vaccine

    White’s father, who contacted police and identified his son as the possible shooter, said White had been upset over the death of his dog and also had become fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the law enforcement official.

    A neighbor of White told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that White “seemed like a good guy” but spoke with her multiple times about his distrust of COVID-19 vaccines in unrelated conversations.

    “He was very unsettled, and he very deeply believed that vaccines hurt him and were hurting other people,” Nancy Hoalst, told the Atlanta newspaper. “He emphatically believed that.”

    But Hoalst said she never believed White would be violent: “I had no idea he thought he would take it out on the CDC.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Daylight saving time: Will this be the last time we 'fall back?'
    • Local news

    Is This the Final ‘Fall Back’? Examining the Future of Daylight Saving Time

    (NEXSTAR) — Though it’s tough to picture the cold, dark November nights…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    4 things casinos have seen during the Las Vegas tourism downturn
    • Local news

    4 Observations Casinos Made During the Las Vegas Tourism Slump

    LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Concerns about the Las Vegas economy specifically, slow business…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Taliban investigating death threats against United Nations' Afghan female staff, report says
    • Local news

    Taliban Probing Threats Made Against Female UN Employees in Afghanistan, Report Indicates

    ISLAMABAD – According to a report released on Sunday, the Taliban are…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Saint Simons Island man arrested for 10 counts of sexual exploitation of children
    • Local news

    Trio Apprehended After Chase in Glynn County

    GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. () — Three people have been arrested after a…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    South Carolina Republican: High prices are ‘for the good of the country’
    • Local news

    South Carolina Republican Claims High Prices Benefit the Nation

    (The Hill) Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., acknowledged that the public is seeing…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Colorado correctional center evacuated due to wildfire threat
    • Local news

    Colorado Prison Evacuated Amid Wildfire Danger

    DENVER (KDVR)  179 individuals in custody at Rifle Correctional Center are being…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Man arrested in Mexico in kidnapping, death of New Mexico teen
    • Local news

    Suspect detained in Mexico for abduction and murder of New Mexico teenager

    EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 21-year-old man has been arrested by…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Storm Team 3: One more day in the unsettled pattern
    • Local news

    Storm Team 3: Another Day with Unstable Weather Conditions

    SAVANNAH, Ga. () — A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Capital One $425M class action settlement: Do you qualify?
    • Local news

    Find Out if You’re Eligible for the $425M Capital One Class Action Settlement

    NEW YORK (WPIX) — Capital One has consented to a $425 million…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Psi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. celebrates 100 years of service
    • Local news

    Psi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Marks a Century of Service

    AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Psi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    What is 'shoulder season' and why do some travelers swear by it?
    • Local news

    What is the ‘Shoulder Season’ and Why is it a Hit Among Travelers?

    (NEXSTAR) – Though summer is coming to a close, there’s still ample…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Beaufort Memorial Hospital receives national recognitions
    • Local news

    Beaufort Memorial Hospital Gains National Accolades

    BEAUFORT, S.C. () — The Beaufort Memorial Hospital has received two national…
    • Internewscast
    • August 10, 2025
    Israeli strike kills journalists in Gaza City, worsening the death toll for the media
    • Local news

    Israeli Attack in Gaza City Claims Lives of Journalists, Increasing Media Casualties

    JERUSALEM – On Sunday, an airstrike by Israel’s military claimed the life…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Israel has accused Australia of undermining its security and helping Hamas after Anthony Albanese announced that his government will formally recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN next month. The Prime Minister made the long-awaited announcement at a press conference in Canberra on Monday afternoon after similar commitments were made by other Western allies including the UK, France and Canada.
    • AU

    Israel Claims Australia’s Actions Threaten Its Security and Aid Hamas

    Israel has accused Australia of undermining its security and helping Hamas after…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025

    Vandalism with Hateful Messages Found at Israeli-American Council Office in Los Angeles

    (KTLA) The national headquarters of the Israeli-American Council (IAC) in Woodland…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    House where Brittany Fuhr-Storms' body was found.
    • US

    Shocking Discovery: Pregnant Woman’s Body Found in Roadside Plastic Bin, Two Men Arrested

    A PREGNANT woman’s body has been found stuffed inside a plastic bin…
    • Internewscast
    • August 11, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.