Shooting at the Holocaust Museum
News outlets, including CNN, are identifying James von Brunn, 88, as the suspect in a shooting at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in DC. What appears to be his web site, which is getting swamped with traffic and may not work for long, portrays a man who is angry and anti-semitic, among other inadequate adjectives.
I am relieved to hear that the shooter was quickly disabled by security guards and is now at GW University Hospital, just around the corner from my office. It sounds like a security guard is in worse shape, and we can only hope for the best.
We will need to learn more about what happened. But there are a few things we may want to keep in mind: Almost all the major museums in DC already have metal detectors and guards. The monuments and museums have been heavily fortified with Jersey barriers and other obstacles since 9/11.
But they are still relatively open, free spaces for reflection and learning, and that’s what makes them precious. Spaces thronged every day by school children and visitors from around the world. It will be important, I think, to be smart in responding to this shooting. Or else we risk giving the shooter exactly what he wanted--magnifying his spasm of violence into a lasting legacy.
Stay tuned.
Tim said on June 10, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Amanda...just some FYI info....
The Guards that work at the Museum work for Wackenhut Security. Most are retired MPD Officers, retired Military LEOs, or Military LEOs that just got out of the military in the DC area and want to hangout in the area.
The contract is the second highest paid contract in the DC area for security guards, so they get the pick of the litter so to speak.
The last I knew, the US Gov Reps for the Security there were several retired USSS Special Agents. Security there is outstanding (as I am sure you are aware of) with everyone going through security checkpoints before they enter, even if you want to go to the cafe they have.....
It appears that he didn’t even make it to the checkpoint when the incident occured. The Guards saw him coming and they exchanged fire.
Hopefully, the Guard will pull out of this....and make a quick recovery....
T.
Amanda Ripley said on June 10, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Thanks, Tim. This is really good to know. I wondered if the Holocaust Museum had unusually high-caliber security employees… We’ll have to see what the details were, but it’s a good bet that the training and dedication of the guards mattered a great deal.
Makes you wonder, though, about all the OTHER security guards in DC… all the ones who are underpaid and undertrained… I wonder, what is the lowest paid contract in the DC area...?
Tim said on June 10, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I actually applied for a job at the Museum (on the US Gov side) several years ago, so I got to see the backside of the house. The Retired USSS folks had the place very, very secure. Which is one of the reasons the shooter only made it into the doorway before the Guards engaged him.
As for the other guards out in DC....? Ugh....some only make 10-12 bucks an hour with no benefits or crappy ones if they get them.
I would say that all of the US Gov HQ Buildings make their folks have at least a secret clearance and pay over 20 bucks and hour. DOS, Justice, DHS, Commerce, etc....pay their folks around 25-26 bucks an hour.
The DC School System has a horrible contractor who hires suspect folks. A couple of years ago, one or two of them were involved in armed robberies in the DC area.
I know that the ones US Park hires for the monuments are unarmed and get paid about 11 bucks an hour. They are nothing but targets with a badge.....
On a sadder note....hopefully your viewers/readers will keep Security Officer Stephen T. Johns family in their prayers. Fox/CNN is reporting that he passed due to injuries received in this incident....... :(
Joe Guerra said on June 11, 2009 at 1:03 am
Tim,
Thank you for sharing your great insights and information on security guard services in the DC area. I retired from the military last year. If there’s one thing I learned working in the area of physical security it’s that there is no fortress or bunker big, thick, or high enough that will stop a determined person who is intent on causing injury to others.
88 years old, an anti-semetic, and angry to the very end of his pitiful life. What a waste of oxygen.
My condolences to the family of the security officer who passed away performing his duty. His sacrifice meant that others could go home safely today. He is forever a hero. Rest in peace.
Joe in Oregon
Tim said on June 11, 2009 at 2:10 am
Amanda....
According to the Wash Post, SPO Johns was not issued a protective vest by his employer, Wackenhut Security International and was carryng only a .38 cal. revolver.
Had he been wearing a vest (even one that offered minimum protection) it surely would have stopped a .22 round.
Unbelievable that this day in age, someone is issued a gun, badge, handcuffs, and given the authority to take away someone freedom, isn’t issued a protective vest and a semi-automatic handgun.
Perhaps folks in the media need to pick up on this and get the Mayor/Police Chief of DC on board to make these for profit companies that bid on US Gov/DC City Security contracts issue their folks the proper gear....to keep them safe, so when stuff like this occurs they can not only do their jobs properly but they can stop the threat.....
.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/10/AR2009061003884.html?hpid=topnews
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Rancho said on March 13, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Condolences to the family of the security officer who died performing his duty. His sacrifice meant that others could go home safely today. He is forever a hero.
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kaayess said on April 09, 2010 at 12:38 pm
This is seriously disturbing. Why on earth does this things happen. Maybe its God’s way of telling people that life and death are not in anyone’s hand - you just gotta live everyday nicely!
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crab smith said on April 10, 2010 at 5:27 pm
didnt know people like this actually exist........had only seen such people in movies.........disturbing
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