Shooting at Family Research Council

There was a shooting at the Family Research Council headquarters in Washington, D.C., today. See below for details:

A security guard at the Family Research Council was shot and wounded Wednesday morning after a scuffle in the lobby of the group’s headquarters in downtown Washington, authorities said.

D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said the shooter walked into the lobby of the building at about 10:45 and was confronted by the security guard as if the guard were asking him where he was going.

The man then took out a gun and opened fire on the guard, Lanier said. The guard and others wrestled the man to the ground, disarmed him and waited for police, she said. The guard was then taken to the hospital and is in stable condition, the chief said. FBI officials said the guard was shot in the arm.

The shooter is in FBI custody and has not yet been charged, authorities said.

I know the security guard who was shot. I used to work in that building about 10 years ago. He’s a good man.

There are some reports that the shooter may have been upset at FRC’s pro-family agenda, which includes supporting traditional marriage. We’ll see how it plays out but if true, it really is a sad statement about our society that people will use this type of means to settle ideological disputes.

Mitt Romney had this statement:

“I am appalled by the shooting today at the offices of the Family Research Council in our nation’s capital. There is no place for such violence in our society. My prayers go out to the wounded security guard and his family, as well as all the people at the Family Research Council whose sense of security has been shattered by today's horrific events.”

Former Family Research Council President Gary Bauer and the current president of American Values made the following statement:

"We at American Values are heartbroken at the news of a shooting today at the Family Research Council. FRC is an outstanding organization. We know it is a faith-based organization, and we join many friends across the country in prayer for the victim and his family, as well as for FRC's dedicated staff, many of whom are close friends.”

"Sadly, there are press reports that the alleged gunman opened fire after expressing his opposition to FRC's pro-family, pro-life beliefs. These are views that are widely shared by good and decent Americans across the country. Yet in recent years we have seen a disturbing level of intolerance and hate aimed at those who share traditional values, whether it is vandalism at churches or against businesses whose owners embrace traditional values, or today's shooting at the Family Research Council. I hope and pray these initial reports are incorrect. The values of the Family Research Council -- pro-life and pro-family -- are shared by millions of Americans of many backgrounds, and should not make anyone a target of violence."

"Men and women of faith must not be intimidated into silence. I am proud to stand with Tony Perkins and the FRC staff. We will proudly continue to fight the good fight for family, faith and freedom!"

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According to Fox, when the suspect’s gun was taken away, he said: “Don’t shoot me, it was not about you, it was what this place stands for.”