After Deadly CDC Shooting, RFK Jr. Criticizes Pandemic Response as Nation Mourns
ATLANTA, August 12, 2025 — The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) experienced a tragic active shooter attack on its Roybal Campus Friday evening, resulting in the death of a DeKalb County police officer and the suspected gunman. In the wake of the violence, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the site, expressing condolences and renewing calls for improvements to the agency’s pandemic response.
The gunman, identified as 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White of Kennesaw, Georgia, opened fire just before 5 p.m. near the main entrance of the CDC headquarters and adjacent to Emory University. Authorities estimate White fired approximately 180 rounds, shattering over 150 windows across at least four CDC buildings on the sprawling campus, according to officials. The suspected shooter was found dead in a nearby building, with the circumstances around his death still under investigation.
Police Officer David Rose was fatally shot while responding to the attack. Rose’s death has deeply affected the CDC community and broader law enforcement circles. Kennedy visited the DeKalb County Police Department to meet with Police Chief Greg Padrick and privately consoled Officer Rose’s widow, offering his “deepest condolences” on behalf of the nation and reaffirming support for the officer’s family and CDC personnel. Additionally, the CDC has implemented increased security measures and a temporary remote work policy to ensure staff safety amid ongoing investigations.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens confirmed the shooter’s identity but stated the motive remains unknown as investigations continue. The incident prompted a massive law enforcement response and a shelter-in-place order that was lifted by early evening. Nearby businesses and campus staff reported hearing rapid gunfire that sounded like continuous fireworks, highlighting the intensity of the attack.
In a statement posted to social media, CDC Director Susan Monarez condemned the shooting as a direct “attack on our Roybal Campus” and highlighted the damage sustained, including shattered windows and compromised security infrastructure.
Amid the response to the shooting, Secretary Kennedy criticized the CDC’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader public health strategies. In comments during his visit, Kennedy expressed frustration with what he described as failures in the agency’s pandemic preparedness and communication, citing the incident as a wake-up call for reform in public health crisis management.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDC’s Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose,” Kennedy said. “This moment should compel us all to reflect on how we can better protect not only our public health but also the people who serve on the front lines of these agencies.”
While officials continue exploring the gunman’s motives, the shooting has sparked a broader national conversation about the safety protocols at key government health institutions and the urgent need to strengthen pandemic response capacity. Most CDC staff are teleworking this week as security assessments and upgrades proceed.
The incident comes as the CDC still faces scrutiny over its pandemic response efforts, with some critics, including Kennedy, calling for structural reforms to improve transparency and efficacy. As the nation mourns Officer Rose and grapples with the shock of the attack, policymakers and public health experts are expected to engage in renewed dialogue about the future of the agency and its role in national security and health emergencies.