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Calls for action follow CDC shooting as police confirm suspect’s ‘discontent’ with COVID-19 vaccine

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2 weeks ago

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georgiarecorder.com – Maya Homan – 2025-08-12 21:30:00


Following a deadly shooting near Emory University and the CDC in Atlanta, community members and public health advocates held a rally demanding gun safety reforms and addressing misinformation. The suspect, Patrick Joseph White, expressed discontent with COVID-19 vaccines, which officials linked to rising vaccine mistrust fueled by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s rhetoric and policy changes. Kennedy replaced CDC vaccine panel members with skeptics and cut mRNA vaccine research grants. Speakers condemned political inaction on gun legislation in Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed White stole firearms from his father’s safe and fired nearly 200 rounds at CDC buildings before dying by suicide.

by Maya Homan, Georgia Recorder
August 12, 2025

Public health workers and gun safety advocates gathered at a rally Tuesday night to commemorate last week’s deadly shooting near Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and demand policy changes to prevent future instances of gun violence.

At the entrance to the CDC, members of the community piled flowers, balloons and stuffed animals alongside signs thanking CDC workers and DeKalb County police Officer David Rose, who was killed in the shooting.

Down the street at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health, leading voices in epidemiology, pediatric health and violence prevention took the stage in a packed auditorium to describe what they saw as a “culture of misinformation” that contributed to Friday’s attack. The rally was organized by Georgia Majority for Gun Safety and Georgia Clinicians for Gun Safety.

Gun safety and public health advocates gathered at an evening rally at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder

“Georgia is among the bottom third of state gun violence rates in a country that is doing poorly across developed nations,” said Heather Hallett, the founder and director of Georgia Majority for Gun Safety. “So we are really in a unique position in terms of the way gun violence impacts us.”

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said he was “deeply saddened” by the shooting, and visited the CDC campus Monday to meet with agency leadership and survey the damage.

“We are actively supporting CDC staff on the ground and across the agency,” he wrote in a post on X, adding “We honor their service. We stand with them. And we remain united in our mission to protect and improve the health of every American.”

But public health advocates — including former employees of the CDC — point to a rise in public mistrust of vaccines they say is fueled by Kennedy’s rhetoric and policy decisions on vaccines. Earlier this year, he dismissed all 17 members of a key vaccine panel at the CDC and replaced them with a slate of eight hand-picked appointees, many of whom are seen as vaccine skeptics. The panel later voted to ban thimerosal, a harmless preservative used in a small portion of flu vaccines, in what critics say is a nod to vaccine skeptics who have fixated on the chemical’s use. 

Last week, Kennedy also terminated 22 grants — including one at Emory University — as part of a “coordinated wind-down” of research studying mRNA vaccine technology. Vaccines using mRNA were first developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the technology won a Nobel Prize in 2023.

Dr. Ben Lopman, an epidemiologist and former CDC employee who studies vaccines, spoke at Tuesday’s rally at Emory University. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder

Dr. Ben Lopman, an epidemiologist and former CDC employee who studies vaccines, said at Tuesday’s rally that misinformation about vaccines “has reached the highest levels in our government and society” under the current administration.

“RFK Jr. was arguably the nation’s leading anti-vaccine activist before being elevated to HHS secretary,” Lopman said. “These wrong ideas are now embedded in everyday conversations, as well as official policy.”

Dr. Sofia Chaudhary, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and an assistant professor at Emory University, also drew a link between mistrust of public health workers and Friday’s attack on the CDC.

 

Dr. Sofia Chaudhary, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and an assistant professor at Emory University, also spoke at Tuesday’s rally. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder

“This past Friday, more than 180 bullets were fired, but the attack on public health went beyond the gunfire,” Chaudhary said. “Misinformation is a serious and growing threat to public health that leads to erosion of trust, delays in care and vaccinations, and deepening of social division.”

Speakers at the rally also condemned inaction on gun safety legislation at Georgia’s state Capitol. During the 2025 legislative session, legislators introduced a number of bills aimed at improving gun safety, but did not  pass any of them before the session concluded. Lawmakers will return to Atlanta in January. 

“There are over a dozen bills held in limbo in committee at our state Capitol that use evidence-based solutions to address gun violence,” said Mike Greenwald, a doctor and co-chair of Georgia Clinicians for Gun Safety. 

Lawmakers “are aware of the evidence and the arguments,” he added. “What holds them back is likely a political calculus.”

Georgia Clinicians for Gun Safety and Georgia Majority for Gun Safety will be launching a new public information campaign on gun safety next month, Greenwald said.

GBI releases updates in ongoing investigation

At a Tuesday news conference, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation released new insights into the motives of 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, a Kennesaw resident who police say is the suspect in the shooting.

Police said nearly 200 rounds of ammunition struck six separate CDC buildings over the course of the attack, and they recovered 500 shell casings from the CVS Pharmacy where White’s body was found dead with what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. White had broken into his father’s safe and stolen five firearms that were used in the attack, including a rifle, a shotgun and a handgun, police said.

Patrick Joseph White’s driver’s license photo was released Tuesday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

“All indications in our investigation was that [the guns] were secure and that he forced his way into the safe that contained the weapons,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey.

For the first time, officers publicly confirmed that White had expressed “discontent with the COVID-19 vaccinations.” Reporting from the New York Times and CNN alleged that the shooter blamed his health issues on the COVID-19 vaccine, but police had not publicly confirmed the shooter’s motivation before Tuesday.

GBI also released White’s driver’s license photograph for the first time Tuesday.

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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

The post Calls for action follow CDC shooting as police confirm suspect’s ‘discontent’ with COVID-19 vaccine appeared first on georgiarecorder.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This content leans center-left as it emphasizes gun safety advocacy, public health concerns, and critiques of vaccine skepticism linked to political figures. It highlights calls for policy changes on gun violence and frames misinformation about vaccines as a serious threat, reflecting perspectives commonly associated with progressive or center-left viewpoints. However, it maintains a factual tone and includes multiple viewpoints, avoiding overt partisanship.

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Mall shooting suspects appear in court, linked to 2 groups

Published

17 hours ago

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August 26, 2025

By

www.wsav.com – Kaley Fedko – 2025-08-26 23:04:00

SUMMARY: Six suspects linked to a deadly July 2 shooting at Oglethorpe Mall in Savannah, Ga., are moving closer to murder indictment. Four appeared in court: Royce Haynes, Theron Robbins, Franklin James, and Johnathan Jones; Aujawan Hymon and Dahmil Johnson are scheduled later. Police identified two rival gang groups involved: 2X (Group A: Hymon, Haynes, James, Jones) and 3X (Group B: Robbins, Johnson). A physical fight escalated into a shootout, resulting in the death of Tina Smith, who died due to physiological stress fleeing the gunfire. Defense motions to dismiss felony murder charges were denied. Indictments, possibly including gang charges, are expected by October 1.

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The post Mall shooting suspects appear in court, linked to 2 groups appeared first on www.wsav.com

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Democrat heads to runoff in Georgia state Senate race with two Republicans competing for second

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21 hours ago

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August 26, 2025

By

georgiarecorder.com – Maya Homan – 2025-08-26 18:58:00


A special election is underway to fill the Georgia state Senate seat vacated by Republican Brandon Beach, now U.S. Treasurer. Democrat Debra Shigley led Tuesday’s primary with about 40% of the vote, advancing to a runoff against the leading Republican, either Jason Dickerson or Steve West, who are narrowly split around 17% each. Over 20,000 voters participated, a 14% turnout. Shigley, an attorney and small business owner, emphasizes affordability, education, and healthcare, gaining notable endorsements. The district is heavily Republican, but Shigley’s strong showing signals growing Democratic momentum ahead of the Sept. 23 runoff to decide the winner.

by Maya Homan, Georgia Recorder
August 26, 2025

The lone Democrat in a seven-way race has advanced to a runoff in a special election that will decide who will replace former Alpharetta Republican state Sen. Brandon Beach, but the top GOP candidates in the contest were still battling it out for second place late Tuesday night.

Democrat Debra Shigley had a strong showing Tuesday night, racking up about 40% of the vote. Republicans Jason Dickerson and Steve West were still neck and neck for second place Tuesday night, earning 17.4% and 17.1% of the vote, respectively. Dickerson held a narrow 65-vote edge over West. 

Over 20,000 voters cast their ballots in the special election, amounting to a 14% turnout rate.

Since no candidate cleared 50% of the vote to win the race outright Tuesday, the top two candidates will face off for a second time on Sept. 23.

Dickerson, Shigley and West were among the seven qualified candidates seeking to replace Beach, who resigned from the Senate earlier this year after President Donald Trump appointed Beach to serve as the 46th U.S. Treasurer. The district, which includes parts of Fulton and Cherokee counties, is predominantly Republican, with Beach receiving upwards of 70% of the vote against a Democratic challenger in 2024. 

Dickerson, a Cherokee County resident, is the president of Purple Chip Capital Management, a private investment firm. He has cast himself as a political outsider who plans to prioritize property tax relief and improving access to affordable housing for seniors. Dickerson also reported the highest campaign contributions of any candidate in the race, loaning himself $500,000 and raising an additional $100.

Republican Steve West, the CEO of a metal fabrication company, is currently in third place. West was a member of the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners from 2014 until this year, when he stepped down to run for the state Senate. His platform includes a broad range of conservative policy proposals, including eliminating the state income tax, strengthening Georgia’s economy, and cracking down on illegal immigration. He also proposed ending Georgia’s state film tax credit. 

Democrats, meanwhile, have rallied behind Shigley, an Alpharetta mom, attorney and small business owner. The only Democratic candidate in the race, Shigley said she aims to improve affordability for families, strengthen public school systems and expand access to health care. She has received endorsements from U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, and progressive organizations including the Georgia Win List and Reproductive Freedom for All.

Shigley’s advancement to the runoff was seen as a success for Democrats, who are seeking to flip the deep-red district. Shigley gained nearly 10 points over Lillia Michelle Lionel, who challenged Beach last year.

“My team and I are more than ready to continue this historic momentum,” Shigley said in a statement. “I am very proud of the campaign we have run so far, and it is clear that our vision — for an affordable, healthy, educated Georgia where working families can thrive — is resonating with our neighbors.”

Dickerson and West did not immediately reply to requests for comment Tuesday night.

Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon said he wasn’t surprised to see Shigley in the lead in the jungle primary when asked about the early results around 8 p.m., but he said he expected Republican voters to consolidate behind the GOP candidate in the runoff election.

“It’s really dangerous to read a lot into a special election,” he said. “This is an election taking place in the dead of summer. People are returning from summer vacation. People don’t know there’s an election. They’re not used to voting at this time of year.”

But Democratic officials are optimistic about their chances in the runoff election.

“Debra was the top vote-getter in a deep-red district against a field of six Republicans — a testament not only to Debra’s strong leadership and bold vision for Senate District 21, but to the undeniable Democratic momentum building across our state,” Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey said in a statement. “Now it’s time to carry this momentum forward into the runoff.”

Deputy Editor Ross Williams contributed to this report.

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Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com.

The post Democrat heads to runoff in Georgia state Senate race with two Republicans competing for second appeared first on georgiarecorder.com


Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The content provides a balanced overview of a special election in Georgia, presenting information about both Democratic and Republican candidates without evident favoritism. It includes details on candidates’ platforms, endorsements, and election dynamics from multiple perspectives, maintaining a neutral tone throughout. The article focuses on factual reporting rather than opinion, reflecting a centrist approach to political coverage.

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Man accuses Delta flight attendant of slapping him | FOX 5 News

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21 hours ago

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August 26, 2025

By

www.youtube.com – FOX 5 Atlanta – 2025-08-26 18:21:24

SUMMARY: Mohamed Shibly alleges a Delta flight attendant slapped him during a July 29 flight to Fresno after refusing to provide water to his child. The attendant reportedly used a disrespectful tone and later whispered a vulgar word to Shibly, who responded with profanity. The attendant then struck him with an open palm. A nearby passenger confirmed hearing the slap and the attendant’s angry response. Delta has suspended the crew member and is investigating. Shibly’s attorneys, citing possible discrimination due to his Palestinian Muslim background and his wife’s Palestine shirt, demand sensitivity training and $20 million from Delta. The FBI may be involved.

Delta Air Lines faces a massive legal showdown after an alleged slap in the sky. The man says the incident started with his wife asking for water for one of his young kids, which he says the flight attendant refused to provide. He says he then asked the crew member himself. Delta says it is looking into the incident and the crew member has been suspended while it investigates.

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