United States Holocaust Memorial Museum shooting facts for kids
On June 10, 2009, a shooting happened at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.. This museum is a special place that remembers the Holocaust. During the shooting, a security officer named Stephen Tyrone Johns was shot. He later passed away from his injuries.
About the Attacker
The person who carried out the attack was James Wenneker von Brunn. He was arrested on June 11, 2009. He was accused of serious crimes, including murder.
Later, in July 2009, von Brunn was formally accused of several more crimes. A judge asked for him to be checked to see if he was well enough for a trial. However, von Brunn died on January 6, 2010, at the age of 89. He passed away from heart problems while waiting for his trial.
The Attack
According to official reports, von Brunn entered the museum building. He then shot Museum Special Police Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns. Officer Johns later died from his injuries.
Von Brunn was known to be a white supremacist. This means he believed that white people are better than other races. He was also a Holocaust denier. This means he did not believe the Holocaust happened, even though there is much proof.
He had been arrested before in 1981. At that time, he tried to enter a government building with weapons. He wanted to arrest some officials because he disagreed with them.
