Results tagged “holocaustmemorialmuseum”

Given the crime he stands accused of, this doesn't come as a big surprise: the AP is reporting that accused U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum shooter James von Brunn has been ordered held without bail today in federal court. This is the first time von Brunn has been able to appear in court in person, as he was still recovering from the gunshot wounds he received from one of the museum guards on June 10. The alleged gunman reportedly decided to say a few words at the short arraignment hearing. Among them: "I'm a United States citizen, and as a U.S. naval officer I swore to protect my country. I take my vows very seriously." James von Brunn has been charged with first-degree murder and related hate crime and gun violations in the death of security guard Stephen T. Johns.

Accused Holocaust Museum shooter James von Brunn was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of first-degree murder and related hate crime and gun violations, the Post is reporting. A series of arraignment hearings for von Brunn have been repeatedly postponed, as the suspect has been too ill to appear in court. A known white supremacist, von Brunn stands accused of entering the U.S. Memorial Holocaust Museum on June 10 and opening fire, shooting and killing security guard Stephen T. Johns. Two other guards returned fire, injuring von Brunn.

A number of funds have been established for those interested in donating to the family of Stephen T. Johns, who heroically sacrificed his life in Wednesday's shooting at the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

"My father's beliefs have been a constant source of verbal and mental abuse my family has had to suffer with for many years." Those words introduce a statement by Erik von Brunn, son of Holocaust Memorial Museum shooter James von Brunn, released to ABC News. Erik and his family will no doubt always be marked by the shameful beliefs and actions of his father. The younger von Brunn's statement reveals courage, addressing with great remorse the family of museum security guard Stephen Johns and with great clarity the radical extremists who view the elder von Brunn's actions as heroic. Erik writes, "I realize there is nothing positive to be taken from this incident. It is empowering, however, to know our country's resistance and intolerance for such acts of hatred has been bolstered in the face of this tragedy." Empowering, indeed: knowing that James von Brunn's unfounded hatred was not passed down to the next generation.