Law enforcement officers secure the perimeter of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington on Wednesday after at least two people were shot at the museum. (Haraz N. Ghanbari/Associated Press) At least two people were shot at the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon.
A man walked into the museum with a long gun and shot a guard at around 12:50 p.m. ET, said Sgt. David Schlosser of the U.S. Park Police, which polices several National Park Service areas. He was unable to say whether the gun was a rifle or a shotgun.
Two other security guards at the museum fired at the shooter, Schlosser told reporters.
Both the shooter and the injured guard were transported to George Washington University Hospital, he said. He didn't know what condition either man was in.
Fire department spokesman Alan Etter told CNN that a third victim suffered minor injuries, likely from flying glass.
Law enforcement officials told NBC News that the suspect in the shooting was 88-year-old James Wenneker Von Brunn, a native of Maryland. Von Brunn is believed to have connections to white supremacist groups.
Several loud pops
Mark Lippert was in the museum when he heard several loud pops and saw several schoolchildren running toward him with horrified looks on their faces. That's when he knew someone had been shot, he said.
His first priority was then to find an emergency exit and get out, he said.
Another witness, who identified herself only as Maria, told CNN she saw the security guard being shot.
"He was face down. His back, I think, was shot, [and] blood was coming out," she said.
Linda Elston, who was visiting the museum, said she was on the lower level watching a film when she and others were told to evacuate.
"It was totally full of people," Elston said. "It took us a while to get out."
Heavy security
The museum was closed after the shooting, and there were no reports of any further injuries, Etter said. Roads surrounding the museum were also closed.
The museum normally has a heavy security presence, with guards positioned both inside and outside. All visitors are required to pass through metal detectors at the entrance, and bags are screened.
Schlosser wasn't able to say whether the shooter had passed through the metal detector.
The museum, located just off the National Mall near the Washington Monument, is a popular tourist attraction that draws about 1.7 million visitors each year
With files from The Associated Press