Security Guard for Conservative Christian Lobbying Group Shot in the Arm in Washington, D.C.
Police and the F.B.I. are investigating after one person was shot this morning when an armed suspect entered the Family Research Council offices in Washington, D.C.
UPDATE - 1:05p ET: The security guard victim has been identified as Leo Johnson. Johnson is being hailed as hero for preventing any further injury.
The victim, a security guard at the organization termed a Christian lobbying group, is being treated at a local hospital. Police, however, are continuing to do security sweeps of the building due to reports that the suspect was carrying multiple weapons. Fox News also reported hearing statements that the suspect may be a 28-year-old male who may have posed as an intern; some witnesses claim the suspect was overheard shouting comments about the organization's politics.
Tony Perkins, the organization's president, reacted to the shooting, saying, "The police are investigating this incident. Our first concern is for our colleague who was shot today..."
Below are more details as reported by the Associated Press:
Police Chief Cathy Lanier says a man walked into the Family Research Council in the city's Chinatown neighborhood about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday and was confronted by a security guard, whom he shot. The guard and others wrestled the man to the ground and he was taken into custody by the FBI.
The FBI and police say it's too early to know the circumstances of the shooting and whether it was connected to the Family Research Council's activities.
The group says the guard was employed by the organization. The group strongly opposes gay marriage and says it advocates "faith, family and freedom in public policy and public opinion."
