Shooting at Holocaust Museum

Posted: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:44 PM by Domenico Montanaro

Msnbc.com: "An elderly gunman exchanged fire with security guards inside the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Wednesday. One security guard and the gunman were taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as James Wenneker von Brunn, 88, from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, NBC News reported. NBC said he may have had connections to hate groups or anti-government groups.

Video: Dave Unruh, an eyewitness to the shooting at Washington DC's Holocaust museum, tells MSNBC's Contessa Brewer that his group feared for their lives.

D.C. police spokeswoman Traci Hughes said the suspect walked into the museum at about 12:50 p.m. ET with a rifle and shot a guard. U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser says one or more guards at the museum returned fire, hitting the suspect. ...

Von Brunn is believed to have had contact with law enforcement in the past, according to NBC. A D.C. Superior Court jury convicted a man by the same name in 1983 of attempting to kidnap members of the Federal Reserve Board. The case involved a 1981 incident in which police arrested Von Brunn at the board's headquarters carrying several weapons. He was convicted and later released from federal prison in 1989, records show. ... A racist, anti-Semitic Web site called http://www.holywesternempire.org and a book called "Kill the Best Gentile" were attributed to von Brunn.

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Comments

Hey, didn't Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano issue a memo warning of increased activity amongst right-wing militant extremist groups earlier this year?

I could have sworn that I read a memo like that!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:52 PM)

Well, you right-wing nimrods have started spewing your hate so vehemently that now the terrorists that belong to your party have started raising their ugly heads. Napolitano was right.. Hope you nut cases are satisfied.

OBAMA/BIDEN, 2012!
KJ, Dallas, TX

What in the world are you babbling about? What's this got to do with Palin?
Deb Towns, Jersey (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 2:48 PM)
Late to the table again here dear! What’s she’s talking about it the 90 year old lunatic Anti-Semitic White Supremist home grown terrorist that walked in the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC and opened FIRE on innocent tourists!!!

GOT IT? You really should try to keep up

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:52 PM)

This is disgraceful and my prayers are with the officer that was shot.

the shooting of the abortion doctor was disgraceful, and my prayers are with his family.

the shooting of two recruiters was disgraceful and my prayers are with both of their families, as well as for the swift recovery of the one who was wounded.

See, media? you can share space for all stories, not one over the other.

By the way, I don't believe that the muslim extremist who shot those recruiters was a democrat. Why are you so sure that the animal who shot the doctor, and the neo-nazi that started shooting up the museum, are republicans? Just because you say something, doesn't make it true.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:54 PM)

Ty Morris, Inidana (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:55 PM)

CNN says he is a white supremicist. For all those who say MSNBC is over the top liberal, come on - this is about as toned down as I've seen.
^^^^^^^^^
I would argue that ALL domestic terrorism is a problem, not just the right wingers - AND it is fair to say the mayhem in AR a couple of weeks ago didn't get 'fair' play; but when is this crap going to end? How exactly are we different than Israel and Hamas? The rhetoric in this country is two dimensional, Right/Wrong, Us/Them - I am as guilty as the next person of attacking verbally; but when I am unfair I usually admit it.

Can't we all get along?

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:56 PM)

Obama has been ignoring the jews lately too.

Ara Geiss, NYC (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:56 PM)

This is sad, and such a grim reminder that HATE is alive and well....even after the Historic Election of Barack Obama!

These groups that hate, and fester anti-government movements need to be rooted out and stopped. Start with Oxy-Head, and all the other fringe-right-wing nut jobs. Move on to the FIX News and pull the plug on their hate filled rhetoric!

Hey, Repukes how do you fell now? You did nothing to stop it, so, you are a part of it!

Prayers to the security guard and his family for his speedy recovery!

STOP THE HATE!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:00 PM)

When press secratary Robert Gibbs informed President Obama, Obama responded by saying "We have a Holocaust Museum?"

Jerry Edgar Wheeler (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:01 PM)

D.C. police spokeswoman Traci Hughes said the suspect walked into the museum at about 12:50 p.m. ET with a rifle and shot a guard. U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser says one or more guards at the museum returned fire, hitting the suspect. ...

This is so sad indeed...
-----------------------------------------

To answer you commenters to the Palin debacle. I ment every word of what I said. Sarah and Todd should be better parents and the presidents daughter's are off limits. He hasn't placed them in the media. What Jimmy Carter's brother did, Al Gore's son did or any other presidental relatives did is beside the point. We talked about their asses too.

This is now and if she is stupid enough to keep dragging her's around and puting them in public for her personal gain of attention, then it's her fault. Who's gives a frig, I certinally don't. I absolutely stand behind my comments.

P.S. Didn't you all talk about Chelsey too and her mother, Hillary. So, cut the BS...the Palin's need to keep their children out of politics and it's that simple.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:01 PM)

This idiot was a "Freeper". Enough said.

OBAMA/BIDEN, 2012!

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:04 PM)

Ed, San Antonio - Grow up. And quickly please.

Signed - A Friend (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:06 PM)

"Criminologist Jack Levin of Northeastern University suggests that social, cultural and economic changes taking place in the United States may be triggering recent violent outbursts from fringe extremists."
--Why are we offering an excuse to fringe elements? So often in our culture we shift blame from the individual (with the left more often being the culprit but the right is absolutely guilty as well). Their violent behavior is not caused by social, cultural or economic changes. Call a spade a spade, what it is, they are nuts and they are wrong. Don't make excuses.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:06 PM)

Suddenly, the Gitmo detainees don't like America's worst threat, do they?

We have enough home grown terrorists to worry about (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:07 PM)

Hey, Repukes how do you fell now? You did nothing to stop it, so, you are a part of it!

Prayers to the security guard and his family for his speedy recovery!

STOP THE HATE!
Ed, San Antonio (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:00 PM)

******************************************************

I'm assuming down, unless you know a way to fell up.

Talk about the Hate...

Sean (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:08 PM)

CNN says he is a white supremicist. For all those who say MSNBC is over the top liberal, come on - this is about as toned down as I've seen.

Nope not over the top in thisd case, the guy has a German name, and falls within the age of being a true fascist. Not only that he is from the eastern shore area of MD. Certainly well known for large clan activity. This guy was probably the Wizard Himself.

Ian Young, Hagerstown, MD (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:09 PM)

What in the world are you babbling about? What's this got to do with Palin?
Deb Towns, Jersey (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 2:48 PM)
Late to the table again here dear! What’s she’s talking about it the 90 year old lunatic Anti-Semitic White Supremist home grown terrorist that walked in the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC and opened FIRE on innocent tourists!!!

GOT IT? You really should try to keep up
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

And if someone, God forbid, tries to harm Palin, then are you to blame? Olbermann? Matthews? Just trying to figure out your thought process here, not that there is any apparently.

Deb Towns, Jersey (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:09 PM)

Nut jobs with guns abound. Thank God the man wasn't wielding an AK-47. It's time to do away with automatic assault weapons sales now.

Reno Will (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:09 PM)

With the right-wing leaders being Limpballs, Savage, and Insanity Hannity spouting foolishness on a daily basis , more of these home-grown terrorist outbursts are going to happen. Where isn't Homeland Security doing more to root this out?

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:09 PM)

Concerned American: Man, you have your head in the sand. Our country's primary threat is from Islamic terrorists.
DG, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:29 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Still going to stick with that story? I don’t recall being attacked by Islamic Terrorists the last few weeks… but thanks to our own home grown brand the death toll continues to rise for US citizens…

Twist it how ever you want! If according to you…Concerned American has his head in the sand… well I think we all know where your head is buried…

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:09 PM)

This is why rhetoric should be tamped down. Once the Genie is out of the bottle it is often very difficult to get it back in.

My prayers go out to security guard and his family.

OBwan, IN (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:12 PM)

It is ashame that people still hate so much that it causes them to go out and commit violence. I don't mind people hating foods; not everyone will like all foods. When it comes to people, go one at a time. It sounds silly, but we are all individuals and need to be respected as such. Actions like this harm everyone.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:13 PM)

Looks like the suspects 'friends' are trying to disappear him from the web. Wide-spread reports now of scrubbing going on at Free Republic, Wikipedia, etc.

No conspiracy here, folks. Move along.

JC from IA (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:15 PM)

What's interesting is the liberals will blame the conservatives for this too, just like with Tiller. Of course this comes on the heels of Obama's former pastor, the Reverend Wrights saying this about Obama not having talked to him in the last year: "The Jews won't let him talk to me". There is a considerable amount of hatred for the Jews in the world, but it comes from all over the political landscape.

Ty Morris, Indiana

===============

True enough Ty. The left-wing of the country don't even think about the hate they spew on a daily basis. They shallow it all down as fact what they hear about the right. Watching msnbc for any time, you start to wonder where all the hate comes from with these people. You wonder if they are just pulling your leg, or if they are serious. The more and more you see their bad behavior, you start thinking they really mean it. Then you wonder if they are playing with a full deck.

Jerry P., Oakland CA (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:15 PM)

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:15 PM)

While we're putting out blame today, I guess we can put the blame for Muslim killing the military recruiter on the Left side of the ledger. The Left hates the military and thinks the Muslims are just dandy, and someone needs to be blamed. So Left-wingers, you're it.

Sgt. Sam (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:18 PM)

I struggle with how anyone can tie this event to the republicans.

Clearly, in the case of the Tiller murder, someone was attempting vigilantism toward a person the right wing had dangerously labeled a murderer. The reason that this is so wrong is that murder is illegal but Tiller had broken no laws.

This guy that attacked at the Holocaust Museum is clearly just a nut with a gun.

Now, let's have some talk about gun control. Not necessarily banning anything, but how about tightening up controls on who can buy them, where they can be bought, and figuring how to slow the free exchange of guns without any kind of background check. This man should not have been allowed to own a gun. So lets find out how he got it and look at how to solve THAT problem.

Chris - IL (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:18 PM)

There is more talk of guns lately. And I cannot think that continuously passing more lenient gun laws is helping the situation.

Now you can carry weapons into parks and I understand 10 year olds will be able to get gun licenses.

We are becoming a violent society and Republicans are responsible for most of hate speech being thrown about.

Constant name calling cannot make any of us feel good or positive and incites unbalanced folks to violence.

Please notice that Republicans are gleefully attaching gun clauses onto social reform legislation.

THIS IS SENDING A BAD MESSAGE!

Andrea, New York City (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:19 PM)

This guy must have gone to the same church as Obama all those years.

H. Clinton, wahington, DC (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:19 PM)

all these domestic terrorists are being held where??

Patriot Midwest U.S.A. (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:19 PM)

Jerry Edgar Wheeler(sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:01 PM) Please explain? What are you trying to say?
sounds tasteless, senseless, and ignorant! I could be wrong now, but, I don't think so. Please school me.

margaret,baltimore,md (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:19 PM)

Nut jobs with guns abound. Thank God the man wasn't wielding an AK-47. It's time to do away with automatic assault weapons sales now.
Reno Will

Aren't guns illegal in Washington DC?

JoJo - AZ (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:21 PM)

This is very tragic. Our prayers are with the victims, including those damaged physically and psychologically. Some folks are going to have post traumatic stress disorder from this.

Steve the Computer Guy, Tampa, FL (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:30 PM)

no joe, no bo, nj:

So...what about your always incorrect rhetoric? You get on here daily twisting the news facts around that are plainly posted on this site. So what the difference...are you finally seeing the danger of words that spew hate and discord?

The murderer of Dr. Tiller is a member of the right wing republican party, so do you not want to own your s*** now. Eventually his political affiliation will be a topic of this blog....very soon.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:31 PM)

Well - Boehner what do you and the GOP have to say about this?

Your hate rhetoric is causing an up rising of racial bigots.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:31 PM)

The revolution has begun.

TJ - Memphis (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:32 PM)

Hey take it easy you guys have you lost your f'n minds? People are hurt here and you guys are lobbing insults at each other about which political party is more to blame? Do you think the poor security gaurds family is wondering which talk show host is responsible? Talk about right AND left wing extremism! Truly disgusting.

Mark,Seattle (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:33 PM)

So often in our culture we shift blame from the individual (with the left more often being the culprit but the right is absolutely guilty as well). Their violent behavior is not caused by social, cultural or economic changes. - Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:06 PM)

Nick - while I understand where you're coming from, it is in fact individuals who pull the trigger, you cannot disregard the hate that is spewed daily by all factions. I simply will not accept the fact that O'Reilly blasting phrases like, "Tiller the Baby Killer" had no impact on Roeder and that Bill-O's fear mongering didn't give Roeder enough reason to go into the man's church and take him out in cold blood. The media, celebs and various associations (such as pro-lifers, pro-choicers, NRA, etc.) do have an impact on the weak-minded, fear-ladened masses. And while people can voice an opinion, they should be reasonable enough to understand that when they do, there are consequences that can be pretty ugly.

Listening to Bill-O yesterday talking about MSNBC being a "hate" network, telling them that they cannot continue to alienate 40% of American's my response was, "So why do you continue to alienate 60% of American's?? And give amunition to people like Roeder, Von Brunn and the rest of the crazies out there that don't take in all the facts,just the fear?"

CdV LA CA (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:35 PM)

Feisty:

Abdulhakim Muhammed. Single African-American male recently converted to radical Islam and in his own words a murderer in the name of Islam. It's on the record.

Killed an unarmed man and wounded another in the name of Allah. Certainly qualifies as a terrorist attack if one is to assume that today's perp is some kind of extremist terrorist.

Perhaps you could expand your news sources.

The perp at the holocaust museum is a known Nazi party member and served six years for previous gun related and extremist related behavior.

And Ed, San Antonio?

You're simply disgusting and in dire need of taking your own advice.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:37 PM)

How about that Homeland Security Report that Republicans said was inappropriate???

Highpowered (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:37 PM)

Federal marshalls should be brought into every community that harbors these Idiots. Homeland security was correct in assessing that Hate groups were arming. We have some Dumba$$ preacher wanting people to bring Guns to Church somewhere in my backward state of Kentucky, also we have people who want to bring Guns into our national park's!

The NRA is responsible for all this Gun crap & should be held responsible. Congress had better get a toehold on this Gun Crap & fast, because it's gonna get worse. The Rightwing Biblethumper's are hellbent(you see'm on FR) on trying to bring this Prseident down anyways possible, & I mean ANYWAYS.

For all you Idiots harping about Islamic terrorist, we have our own so-called Christian Terrorist right here & their Homegrown in the USA.

Crack down Now on these IGNORANT FOOLS President Obama & Eric Holder, because if you let this fester much further, it'll be to late ! Shutdown Limbaugh, Hewitt, hannity, Beck & any other person who gets on TV or radio & spews this hatred for America & it's People.

Rick,Ky (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:38 PM)

I see the Left-wingsnuts goal of silencing the opposition continues. Next I guess Obama will sign an executive order eliminating all speech related to any criticism of the government.

You lefties are oh so predictable. Always with the different motive of what you're tyring to eliminate. Can't compete with conservative ideas? No problem? Just come up with a bs story to blame everything on conservatives so you can outlaw their ideas.

We're on to you frauds.

Beck H., Chicago IL (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:41 PM)

This guy must have gone to the same church as Obama all those years.
H. Clinton, wahington, DC (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:19 PM)

_____________

Oh really, moron? Obama went to a white supremacist church? Really? Wow, I may have found someone on these boards more assinine than chihuahua, and that is saying something!

The conservative stupidity just shines through!! (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:42 PM)

Rick, Ky - Federal marshalls should be brought into every community that harbors these Idiots.

Here come the brownshirts.

AH, Germantown, WI (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:42 PM)

Isn't all this happening on "Obama's watch?" All three of the latest freako perps are under monitoring or have had prior records.

In case you don't know who the third freako perp is, it's the African-American jihadi Islamic convert that has publicly attributed his act as a service to Islam in the spirit of revenge and "eye-for-eye", not turning the other cheek like Jews and Christians.

His own words, not mine.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:46 PM)

I wonder if these savages hold jobs, have wives, children. If they go home at night and pat thier children on the head. Make jokes at the dinner table and put thies heads on a pillow at night? In other words how do they pass as humans? Such hate should have been noted by someone. very sad for the gaurds family.

sandy s glendale heights Il (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:48 PM)

Thank you Mark, Seattle. You are right,of course.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:50 PM)

It's Obama/Biden's fault. Big time.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:51 PM)

This is domestic terrorsium and something has to done about it immediately. This is yet again an example of hate. This suspect is an 88 year old man. He's damn near 90 years old. A lot of hate a lot of years.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:52 PM)

These so called hate groups are just a bunch of losers with no life.

They get in where they fit in - if they become anything serious the United States of America has plenty of organizations that will bring them down instantly.

They are no threat - only to innocent people that have no way of defending themselves.

These cowards will never confront anyone or any other organization that is just as crazy as they.

They are harmless - as long as they have their peace rallies and stay in their holes, no body will care how they feel.

The moment they act a fool – we will shut them down and off to prison they will go.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:52 PM)

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