At Least 2 Shot At Holocaust Museum

Washington Shooting Suspect Reportedly An Elderly White Supremacist In Custody After Shooting Security Guard..

by CBS/AP

Published: Wed, June 10, 2009 - 12:35 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, June 10, 2009 - 12:37 pm CST

(CBS/AP) Two people were shot when a gunman, reportedly an elderly white supremacist, exchanged fire with security guards at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. Wednesday, authorities said.

The shooter has been tentatively identified as James Von Brunn - reportedly affiliated with white supremacist Web sites, law enforcement officials told CBS News correspondent Bob Orr.

Von Brunn is 87 or 88 years old.

U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser said the suspect walked into the museum with what he described as ``long gun'' and exchanged fire with security guards. The extent of the injuries weren't immediately known.

The weapon was a shot gun, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr.

U.S. Park Police initially gave slightly different information, saying three people had been shot. Fire department spokesman Alan Etter told CNN a third person was hurt after being cut by broken glass.

The museum normally has a heavy security presence with guards positioned both inside and outside the museum. All visitors are required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance, and bags are screened.

The museum, located just off the National Mall near the Washington Monument, is a popular tourist attraction. It draws about 1.7 million visitors each year.

Roads surrounding the museum have been closed.

Sandy Perkins of Massachusetts said her daughter, Abigail, called her shortly after the shooting. The teen was on a school trip to the museum and told her mother students heard several shots before they were told to leave the building.

Abigail said some of her friends were very shaken, but all were otherwise fine, Sandy Perkins said.

The teens did not see where the shots were coming from.

The Israeli Embassy said it plans to issue a statement later Wednesday.

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minimay87 Says:

Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 8:06 am

White Supremacist? This just makes me sick. Who gave them the right to say their “type” is better than any other? I agree with you mob, what this guy did did not make any statement besides that he is very closed minded. The only thing that this got him was some jail time were he will be stuck with some of the same people that he despises.

mob1 Says:

Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 4:44 am

So, where are the hate crime laws when it comes to folks who are killed just because they are Jewish.
I am not a supporter of hate crime laws but if the gov. insist on having them then why should they stop with just one group of people.

I always wondered what a shooter as the one in this story really intends to accomplish by doing something like this. How did this act advance this person in life, what does one gain out of something like this.

It’s a shame.