CDC shooter who killed police officer fired over 200 rounds before killing self: authorities

The man who last week attacked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, killing a police officer, fired hundreds of rounds before killing himself, authorities said Tuesday.

Investigators in total found about 500 shell casings, including about 200 fired by shooter Patrick Joseph White that hit the headquarters building. Others were reportedly fired by responding law enforcement officers or apparently missed the building. 

The 30-year-old White died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to NBC News. 

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said White had expressed suicidal thoughts before the attack and that law enforcement was contacted about the matter "several weeks prior to the incident."

White also reportedly believed his COVID-19 vaccinations caused such thoughts.

Authorities also found five firearms brought to the crime scene by White. The weapons belonged to White's father and had been securely stored before the shooter "forced his way into" the safe that contained them, Hosey said.

The deceased officer has been identified as DeKalb County's David Rose. The 33-year-old father of two and graduated from the department’s police academy in March. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the CDC headquarters Monday. He said he privately met with Rose's wife, walked through the damage to the CDC building and met with local police.