Atlanta, GA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has directed all staff to resume on-site work at its Atlanta headquarters no later than Monday, September 15, 2025, five weeks after a deadly shooting rocked the agency’s Roybal Campus. The announcement, made by new Chief Operating Officer Lynda Chapman in an internal email on August 28, comes amid ongoing recovery efforts following the August 8 attack that left one police officer dead and caused significant damage to the facility.
The incident, carried out by 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White, saw nearly 200 rounds fired, shattering approximately 150 blast-resistant windows across six buildings. White, who blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his mental health struggles, killed DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose before taking his own life. No CDC employees were injured, but the attack left the workforce shaken, with many barricading themselves in offices during the ordeal. The CDC has since made “significant progress” on repairs, with Chapman emphasizing that “safety remains our top priority” as the agency prepares to restore regular operations.
Following the shooting, CDC staff were instructed to work remotely, with optional office returns in the weeks prior to September 15. The mandate to return comes at a challenging time for the agency, which is grappling with leadership changes and policy shifts under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The recent firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez by the White House, along with the resignations of four senior officials, has added to the turmoil. Monarez, in a statement before her dismissal, linked the attack to misinformation, stating, “The dangers of misinformation and its promulgation have now led to deadly consequences.”
Employees have expressed mixed sentiments about the return. Some, still reeling from the trauma, have voiced concerns over safety and the agency’s response to misinformation, which they believe fueled the attack. A CDC scientist, speaking anonymously to ABC News, criticized the lack of direct communication from Kennedy, noting his delayed response and history of vaccine skepticism. Others, like Aliki Pappas Weakland, Associate Director for Policy, Planning, and Communication, described the fear of crawling for cover during the attack but vowed to continue their public health work.
The CDC is implementing enhanced security measures, including increased police presence and a recommendation for employees to remove CDC-identifying decals from their vehicles. The agency’s Employee Assistance Program is offering counseling to support staff through the transition. However, the return coincides with significant layoffs, with over 600 employees receiving notices as part of a broader downsizing effort, further dampening morale.
As the CDC navigates this challenging period, the September 15 return marks a step toward normalcy, though the scars of the attack and ongoing internal changes continue to loom large. The agency has pledged to work with federal, state, and local authorities to ensure a safe workplace as investigations into the shooting continue.