Washington, D.C.--“Today, we see yet another example of how a disturbed person with a firearm can terrorize. This man entered the Holocaust Museum, a place dedicated to remember the evil inflicted upon the Jewish people in World War II, with the intent to do violence. It is disgusting to think about the children, whether they be visitors to our Capital from around the world, or children from local schools on class trips, having to run for cover in one of our National monuments or museums because an anti-Semitic madman decided to open fire on a guard.

“Recently, my hometown of Riverdale was the site of an attempt at domestic terrorism against two of our synagogues. Now we have this shooting at the Holocaust Museum. The apparent connection is the purposeful targeting of Jewish people. It saddens me to think this kind of irrational hate still exists not just in the world in general, but here at home in New York and Washington. It is outrageous that a dangerous man with a criminal record was able to obtain a rifle, much less be able to carry it to the museum. I commend the two security guards at the museum for their fast action in preventing further bloodshed. My heart goes out to the family of the murdered guard and my prayers are with them.”