CDC Shooting Suspect Had History of Suicidal Reports, Used Father’s Guns in Attack

Published Time: 08-13-2025, 15:45

Authorities have released new details about the man accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta last week. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, reportedly had prior police contacts over suicidal thoughts and used firearms taken from his father’s locked safe during the attack.

Incident Overview

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the shooting occurred on Friday, shortly before 5 p.m., and resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Department Officer David Rose, 33. White allegedly fired approximately 200 rounds at six CDC buildings before taking his own life.

Officer Rose, a former U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan, had joined the DeKalb County Police Department in September 2024. He was fatally wounded while responding to the incident.

Investigators recovered five firearms from the scene, primarily long guns, and collected more than 500 shell casings.

Prior Police Contacts and Mental Health Concerns

GBI Director Chris Hosey confirmed that White had no prior criminal history but had recently expressed suicidal thoughts. Law enforcement officers had been contacted about his mental health several times in the past year.

“Evidence in this investigation indicates that the shooter had recently verbalized thoughts of suicide, which even led to law enforcement being contacted several weeks prior to the incident,” Hosey said at a Tuesday press briefing.

Local reports from Fox Atlanta indicate that police responded to at least three separate calls about White’s mental state in the past year. In a September 2024 incident, White told officers that his health had declined after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, contributing to his suicidal thoughts. He reportedly took a gun from his father’s locker during that episode, which he later described as “a cry for help.”

Following that event, White was transported to Kennestone Hospital but declined further mental health treatment in later encounters. Additional police contacts occurred in April and July 2025.

Access to Firearms

Officials stated that the firearms used in the attack were stored securely in a locked safe at White’s father’s home. Hosey said the suspect forcibly accessed the safe before the shooting.

“All indications in our investigation were that the weapons were secure and that he forced his way into the safe,” Hosey explained.

The recovered firearms included several long guns used to fire into CDC buildings.

Suspect’s Writings and Motivation

During a search of White’s residence, authorities found written material expressing his discontent with COVID-19 vaccinations. Hosey described the writings as personal documents aimed at raising “public awareness” of his views, without making direct threats.

“I would describe it as more of a public awareness. There was no direct threat… but it was his making the public aware, in his words, of his discontent with the vaccines,” Hosey said.

The materials are being reviewed by behavioral analysts and shared with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Sequence of Events

Authorities reported that before the shooting began, CDC security personnel stopped White near the facility. He then drove to a pharmacy across the street, where he opened fire from the sidewalk. The rounds struck blast-resistant windows on the CDC campus, forcing employees to shelter in place.

More than 500 shell casings were later recovered from the crime scene, according to the GBI.

Security Response and Federal Visit

In the aftermath of the attack, CDC officials are reviewing security measures and working closely with law enforcement to address potential threats.

On Monday, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the CDC campus with Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and CDC Director Susan Monarez. The group also visited the DeKalb County Police Department and met privately with Officer Rose’s widow.

Kennedy recently announced changes to federal vaccination guidelines, stating that the CDC will no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children or pregnant individuals. He also said the government had canceled 22 mRNA vaccine development contracts, totaling about $500 million, citing data indicating limited protection against upper respiratory infections.

Community Impact

The shooting has drawn national attention to issues of mental health, firearm access, and security at federal facilities. Authorities emphasized that early intervention and secure firearm storage remain critical in preventing similar tragedies.

The investigation remains active, with the GBI, FBI, and local law enforcement continuing to examine the suspect’s actions, motivations, and prior contacts with police.