James Von Brunn, the white supremacist accused of shooting and killing a guard at the Holocaust museum last year, has died, the Associated Press reports. He was 89.
Von Brunn was wounded during the June attack, but had survived those injuries; it's not yet clear if they played a role in his death or whether his chronic medical problems and age were to blame. Initial reports had Von Brunn dying at the prison hospital where he was being held, but a spokeswoman for the prison said he was pronounced dead at a local hospital in North Carolina.
For more on Von Brunn and his long, disturbing history with white supremacy, see Salon's previous coverage of him and the shooting here.
Update: The Holocaust museum put out this statement in the wake of Von Brunn's death:
The Museum’s thoughts and prayers continue to be with Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns’ family at this time. Officer Johns died heroically defending the Museum, visitors and staff. This tragedy is a powerful reminder that our cause of fighting hatred remains more urgent than ever.
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