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June 10, 2009
Contact:
Susan Pitcher
Executive Assistant
WSI
(561) 472-3619
spitcher@wsihq.com
WSI Public Statement concerning the shooting incident at the US Holocaust Museum
On June 10 about mid-day, an armed male walked through the 14th Street entrance of the U. S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. and opened fire with what was reported to be a small caliber rifle. One WSI armed security officer was wounded immediately in the upper left torso. Two other WSI armed security officers opened fire with their service revolvers. The intruder was hit at once and rendered non-effective. Both the wounded WSI officer and the intruder were evacuated to George Washington Hospital in Washington DC. One other by-stander was reported injured slightly by glass, but refused medical assistance at the site. The injured WSI employee, Officer Stephen T. Johns, subsequently died of his wounds today while in the hospital.
Officer Johns worked for WSI since 2003 when he was first assigned to the security force at the Holocaust Museum. He was 40 years old and resided in Temple Hills, Maryland. He was a 1988 graduate of Crossland High School in Maryland.
WSI has provided contract armed security services at the Museum since 2002. There are approximately 70 officers and supervisors on the contract. They are trained to meet Washington DC Special Police Officer qualifications and are sworn as DC SPOs. They wear distinctive, police-type uniforms and are armed with .38 caliber revolvers. Each officer is trained in basic first aid and AED employment. They also must pass regular physical fitness tests and weapons requalification. Realistic on-site, scenario driven training is a regular part of their duties.
Initial accounts indicate the WSI officers responded appropriately in accordance with their training, post orders, and the use of deadly force.
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