Gunman opens fire at Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. (June 10, 2009)

Neo-Nazi opens fire at Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C.
Israel condemns shooting incident that killed security guard

From the BNO Newsroom.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- A security guard was killed when a gunman armed with a rifle opened fire at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, police officials told BNO News. Israel has since condemned the incident.

The shooting happened at around 12.50 p.m. local time, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Department said. Officers initially responded to sounds of gunshots around the Holocaust Museum and found two shooting victims at entrance of the building when they arrived on scene.

During a press briefing, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department said that a gunman walked into the museum, armed with a rifle, and opened fire at a security guard. Two other security guards returned fire in response.

Both the gunman as well as the security guard were taken to hospital in critical condition and, according to media reports, a third person was also injured from flying glass. Officials were not immediately able to confirm the reports of a third injury. The gunman and security guard were both transferred to George Washington University Hospital, where the security guard later died. (Related story: Officer dies after shooting at U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum)

Officials said the shooter was an elderly man named James Von Brunn, who reportedly has links to white supremacist websites.

The museum, where many visitors were inside, was immediately evacuated after the shooting. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officer and his family," a spokeswoman for the museum said. The museum is expected to re-open on Friday.

Meanwhile, Israel condemned the shooting incident and said it was "shocked and saddened." Both President Obama, who was briefed on the incident, and D.C. Mayor Fenty said they were "saddened" by the events. Jerusalem Mayor Barkat said he was "disheartened" by the attack.

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