In a statement, HHS said CDC security led Kennedy on a tour of the campus, pointing out shattered windows across multiple buildings, including the main guard booth. CDC Director Susan Monarez said four buildings were hit, and more than 40 bullets smashed through office windows.
DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose was mortally wounded while responding to Friday’s shooting.
Most CDC personnel assigned to the campus are teleworking this week, and additional safety and security measures are being put in place ahead of their return, according to HHS.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, Kennedy said the agency was “deeply saddened” by the shooting.
“We know how shaken our public health colleagues feel today. No one should face violence while working to protect the health of others,” Kennedy said.
Multiple reports have said 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 also long disparaged the CDC and public health officials. He once called the agency a “cesspool of corruption” while running for president. Under his leadership, the Trump administration has laid off nearly 2,000 employees.
CDC and public health officials have been subject to increased anti-vaccine backlash fueled by conspiracy theories, as well as blowback to public health measures implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The union that represents CDC employees said disinformation about vaccines has put workers' safety at risk and called on HHS to condemn the spread of false information about vaccines and protect employees from future violent threats.
