HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta following a gunman shooting that damaged four buildings on the agency’s main campus. The shooting resulted in over 40 bullets smashed through office windows and killed DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose. Most CDC personnel are teleworking this week, and additional safety measures are being implemented. Kennedy expressed the agency’s deep sadness and the need for no one to face violence while working to protect others’ health. The suspect in the shooting was fixated on the COVID-19 vaccine and blamed it for his mental health issues. Kennedy, who founded an anti-vaccine group before becoming HHS Secretary, has long disparaged the CDC and public health officials, calling the agency a “cesspool of corruption” and laying off nearly 2,000 employees under his leadership. The union representing CDC employees has called on HHS to condemn the spread of false information about vaccines and protect employees from future violent threats.
Kennedy visits the CDC following the tragic shooting.
