New details have emerged about the gunman who opened fire near the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, killing a police officer and unleashing dozens of rounds into the complex.
According to law enforcement sources, the 30-year-old suspect told his father he believed the COVID-19 vaccine had left him depressed and suicidal. Officials say the man attempted to enter the CDC headquarters Friday afternoon but was stopped by security before driving to a nearby pharmacy and opening fire.
Authorities report the shooter was armed with five guns, including at least one long rifle. The incident left DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose fatally wounded while responding to the scene.
The attack has stirred reaction from across the political spectrum. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, publicly expressed support for CDC employees. However, some former CDC workers have accused him of fueling anti-vaccine sentiment and called for his resignation.
As investigators continue piecing together the suspect’s motives and actions leading up to the attack, one question lingers — was this an isolated act of personal crisis, or part of a growing and more dangerous trend?
