Emory shooting confirmed as ‘a targeted attack on CDC related to Covid’ as new details emerge on gunman’s mental state: Latest – UK Times

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Chief Operating Officer Christa Capozzola told staff that Friday’s shooting specifically targeted the agency.

She called the shooting “a targeted attack on C.D.C. related to Covid,” according to an email reviewed by The New York Times.

Suspected gunman Patrick Joseph White’s father told police his son was fixated on the Covid-19 vaccine and believed it made him suicidal, the Associated Press reported.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email [email protected], or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Patrick Joseph White, the man police say fired at the CDC campus and killed a DeKalb County police officer Friday, may have used weapons that belonged to his father.

White, 30, lived with his parents in Kennesaw, Georgia. Police found five guns at the scene of the shooting, including four long guns, The New York Times reports, citing a preliminary report from the Justice Department.

Some, if not all of these guns, belonged to White’s father, according to the report reviewed by the Times.

Police say Patrick Joseph White opened fire from an Atlanta CVS, across the street from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus.

Suspected gunman Patrick Joseph White’s neighbor, Nancy Hoalst, described the 30-year-old as “unsettled” and said he would often talk about anti-vaccine conspiracy theories.

“He very deeply believed that vaccines had hurt him, and that they were hurting other people,” Hoalst told The New York Times.

However, Hoalst said she “never thought he would take it out on other people.”

“It was a such a belief, it was almost like faith,” she added. “It was a tenet of who he was.”

Another neighbor, Joshua Shirah, told WSBTV White was “an OK guy” who lived with his parents and helped neighbors with yard work.

“Not the kind of person I thought would do that, but stuff happens,” Shirah said.

The gunman who opened fire near the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus and Emory University on Friday was fixated on the Covid-19 vaccine, his father reportedly told police.

Here’s everything we know so far about Patrick Joseph White:

Employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus in Atlanta, Georgia are shaken up in the wake of Friday’s shooting, CNN reports.

CDC leaders held a call with staff on Saturday, during which employees described feeling like “sitting ducks” during the shooting, CNN reports.

CDC leaders are “mad this happened,” Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry told staff.

Patrick Joseph White’s father called the police and identified his son as the potential shooter, the Associated Press reports, citing law enforcement.

White, 30, lived with his parents in Kennesaw, Georgia, a suburb about 30 miles from the scene of the shooting.

Suspected gunman Patrick Joseph White’s father is providing key information to police, the Associated Press reports.

Leading up to the shooting, White was upset about the recent death of his dog, his father told police. White was also fixated on the Covid-19 vaccine, his father revealed.

White’s neighbor, Nancy Hoalst, similarly told The New York Times that White was “unsettled” and would often talk about anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. Hoalst noted she “never thought he would take it out on other people.”

Suspected gunman Patrick Joseph White was reaching out for mental health assistance for weeks leading up to Friday’s shooting, CNN reports, citing information CDC leaders told staff during a meeting Saturday.

White did not make any threats leading up to Friday’s shooting, CDC leaders added.

CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry told staffers that agency leaders are “mad this happened,” according to CNN.

Suspected gunman Patrick Joseph White tried to enter the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention campus on Friday afternoon, but was turned away by guards, the Associated Press reports.

White then went to a CVS across the street and opened fire. Police found five guns at the scene.