Police: At least 2 shot inside Holocaust Museum (updated)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- An elderly gunman opened fire with a rifle inside the crowded U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Wednesday, gravely wounding a security guard before two other officers returned fire. The assailant and his victim were both hospitalized.
The assailant was in critical condition, said Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty.
D.C. Police Chief Kathy Lanier said the gunman appeared to have acted alone. He was "engaged by security guards immediately after entering the door" with a rifle, she said.
President Obama saddened by shooting at Holocaust Museum, concerned for wounded guard.
U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser said a gunman walked into the museum with what he described as a "long gun" and exchanged fire with security guards. The extent of the injuries were not immediately known.
U.S. Park Police initially gave slightly different information, saying three people had been shot. Fire department spokesman Alan Etter told CNN television a third person was hurt after being cut by broken glass.
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.
The museum, located near the Washington Monument, is a popular tourist attraction. It draws about 1.7 million visitors each year.
Roads surrounding the museum have been closed and blocked off with yellow tape. Several police cars and officers on horses surround the area.
Sandy Perkins said her daughter, Abigail, called her shortly after the shooting. The teen was on a school trip to the museum and told her mother students heard several shots before they were told to leave the building.
Abigail said some of her friends were very shaken, but all were otherwise fine, Sandy Perkins said.
The teens did not see where the shots were coming from.
Linda Elston, who is visiting the museum, said she was on the lower level of the museum 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."
She said she did not hear any shots and did not immediately know why there was an evacuation. The experience left her feeling "a little anxious," she said.
