A shooting occurred at the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
According to the Associated Press (AP) on the 9th (local time), a man opened fire at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta late on the afternoon of the 8th.
The man attempted to enter the CDC building but was stopped by security guards, prompting him to move to a nearby pharmacy, where he began shooting, resulting in the death of one police officer who responded to the scene.
Local media reported that the suspect was identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, who was from the suburbs of Atlanta. He was found dead at the scene from a gunshot wound. It is unclear whether he was shot by the police or died by suicide.
The suspect was known to have been involved in COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories and reportedly expressed mental health issues. He believed that the COVID-19 vaccine was responsible for his health problems and showed a strong obsession with this.
Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in an email sent to Health Department staff on the morning of the 9th, "I understand well how great the shock must be for my colleagues in public health," adding, "Those who protect public health should not face such violence."
However, criticism has arisen suggesting that Minister Kennedy bears responsibility for the incident, as he has frequently raised vaccine conspiracy theories.
"Fired But Fighting," a group of former employees fired from the CDC, issued a statement saying, "Kennedy is directly responsible for demonizing CDC employees while spreading endless lies about science and vaccine safety." They further criticized Minister Kennedy for fostering "hostility and distrust" towards vaccines and the CDC.