James von Brunn, the 88 year-old white supremacist accused of killing a security officer at the U.S. Holocaust Museum on June 10, believes bizarre conspiracy theories.
On May 12, 2008, von Brunn wrote on his “arsenal of hypocrisy” blog that Hitler’s “worst mistake” was that “he didn’t gas the Jews.”
The Jews also secretly control the Catholic Church, according to von Brunn. It’s impossible to reason with such nonsensical hatred.
Von Brunn had spent six years in prison for attempted kidnapping and other crimes. In 1981, he entered the Federal Reserve’s Washington headquarters armed with “a pistol, a shotgun, a knife and an imitation bomb.” Von Brunn explains on his Web site, Holy Western Empire, that he had “attempted to place the treasonous Federal Reserve Board of Governors under legal, non-violent, citizens arrest.”
Stephen Tyrone Johns, the 39 year-old African-American security guard whom von Brunn allegedly shot, was described by friends and family as a “gentle giant” known for his “quiet, friendly nature.” Von Brunn expressed hatred for African-Americans as well as Jews.
Johns had opened the door of the museum for von Brunn as he approached, reportedly with a rifle hidden at his side. He allegedly shot Johns at close range in the chest.
Johns had an 11 year-old son, Stephen Jr., and had recently remarried.
His son said, “He was a pretty great guy and he was always there for me when I was down or sad.”
Other security guards at the museum shot von Brunn, before he was able to shoot others. He remains in critical condition.
Todd Leventhal is the Department’s expert on conspiracy theories and misinformation—stories that are untrue, but widely believed. He enjoys reading obituaries, which tell the personal stories of people who have shaped the fabric of American life.
Todd became interested in international affairs after a four-month trip to the Soviet Union, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India in 1972. He worked for Voice of America for seven years and bikes to work year-round.