In a shocking incident on August 8, 2025, Patrick Joseph White, a 30-year-old from Kennesaw, Georgia, opened fire near the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, leaving a police officer dead and spreading panic in the community.
Armed with multiple weapons, White unleashed over 180 rounds during the attack, reportedly motivated by his belief that the COVID-19 vaccine had caused him severe mental health issues, including depression and suicidal thoughts.
The tragedy highlighted the alarming consequences of vaccine misinformation, as a union representing CDC employees condemned the violence as a culmination of ongoing neglect and vilification faced by health workers during the pandemic.
Students on the nearby Emory University campus were thrown into chaos, instructed to “run, hide, fight” as law enforcement responded to the active shooter situation.
Following the violent episode, White was discovered dead in a nearby CVS Pharmacy, further complicating the investigation into the motivations behind his rampage.
This incident underscores the urgent need for addressing mental health issues linked to public health misinformation, emphasizing the responsibilities of society to promote accurate information and support for those struggling with mental health challenges.