Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta following a gunfire incident that resulted in the death of DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose.
During his visit, Secretary Kennedy was guided by CDC security staff on a tour of the Roybal Campus, where he observed damage from the attack, including shattered windows in several buildings and at the main guard booth. He was joined by Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill and CDC Director Susan Monarez.
Secretary Kennedy also met with DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick before meeting privately with Officer Rose’s widow to offer condolences and support. In a statement posted on X, Kennedy said, “We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting at CDC’s Atlanta campus that took the life of officer David Rose. We stand with his wife and three children and the entire CDC family.”
The Department of Health and Human Services stated it continues to support CDC personnel and their families during this period. Most staff assigned to Roybal Campus are working remotely this week as new safety measures are implemented ahead of their return.
The CDC is recognized for its role in protecting public health by providing timely information, identifying disease outbreaks quickly, driving scientific research, supporting local health initiatives across communities nationwide, and responding to threats whether they arise domestically or internationally. More information about how the CDC protects lives through science-based public health efforts can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/about/organization/cio.htm.
