Alleged Museum Shooter's Son Slams Dad's 'Cowardice'

[RamboLiberal]

Source: ABC News

A son of the 88-year-old white supremacist who allegedly started a shootout at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is slamming his father's "cowardice" and apologizing to the family of the security guard his dad is accused of killing.

"My father's actions are unforgivable," Erik von Brunn, 32, of Florida, wrote in a statement to ABC News. "I do not expect, nor will I accept forgiveness for what he has done. I realize there is nothing positive to be taken from this incident."

-----

"My father's beliefs have been a constant source of verbal and mental abuse my family has had to suffer with for many years," he wrote. "His views consumed him, and in doing so, not only destroyed his life, but destroyed our family and ruined our lives as well.

"For a long time, I believed this was our family's cross to bear," he added. "Now, it is not only my families lives that are in shambles, but those who were directly affected by his actions; especially the family of Mr. Johns, who bravely sacrificed his life to stop my father."

"I cannot express enough how deeply sorry I am it was Mr. Johns, and not my father who lost their life," Erik von Brunn said. "It was unjustified and unfair that he died, and while my condolences could never begin to offer appeasement, they, along with my remorse is all I have to give."



Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=7826285&page=1

[cali]

1. wow. that's a very eloquent and noble apology.

Perhaps the greatest payback for that asshole von Brunn, is that his son is not in the least like him.

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Agreed. Very powerful. n/t

[RamboLiberal]

6. Nice smackdown too to the Extremists

"For the extremists who believe my father is a hero: it is imperative you understand what he did was an act of cowardice," Erik von Brunn wrote. "To physically force your beliefs onto others with violence is not brave, but bullying. Doing so only serves to prove how weak those beliefs are. It is simply desperation, reminiscent of a temper tantrum when a child cannot get his way. Violence is a cop out; an easy answer for an ignorant problem."

[clear eye]

46. Beautifully put. n/t

[hamsterjill]

13. Seconded

It's always hard on the family.

I have felt empathy for the family of Dr. Tiller's killer, as well.

There is something very heroic about these famiies stepping forward to condemn these horrible acts, but at the same time, something very sad that they even feel the need to do so. Sad that they have had to deal with family members such as these killers.

I hope we are evolved enough so that the sons aren't criminalized in society for what their fathers have done.

[mrbarber]

18. Criminalized? Hell, I'm buying his a beer if I ever see him out.

Now I REALLY REALLY hope brunn (curse his bones) wakes out of his coma, just so he can read this wonderful apology and seeth in a pool of his own rage, impotent to do anything about it.

[redwitch]

2. Poor guy.

:-(

[monmouth]

4. Very. I hope it is of some comfort to the Johns family..n/t

[joeybee12]

5. Very moving...it really brings home what this guy put his family

through and it's good to know that offspring can reject what they are taught, or what parents try to teach them.

[loudsue]

57. True that. And it shows what all of these extremists are putting the whole world through.

The bullying extends out to all those who are not sociopaths.

[fujiyama]

7. That's a very powerful statement

Sounds like he's absolutely nothing like his father.

[angstlessk]

8. brought tears to my eyes...talk about the apple falling FAR from the tree

this man suffered probably more than anyone other than Johns and his family, because the racist nature of his father's life.

[rockymountaindem]

9. Geez. That's just about all you can say, eh?

What a horrible position to be in. I feel bad for that guy.

[grace0418]

10. How sad. I'm glad he didn't manage to poison his family with his

insane beliefs, but oh how they must've suffered. I feel terrible for everyone involved (except the murderer of course).

[wryter2000]

11. What a wonderful statement

I hope it does comfort Mr. Johns' family.

Imagine, being born to that man when the man was in his 50s. I don't envy his life.

[Demoiselle]

26. Actually....older fathers (and older mothers) have much to offer young children...

...Like greater perspective, a more settled sense of who they themselves are, etc. That can be a good thing, too.
I'm sure that James von Brunn was a poison filled monster from an early age. He may well have gotten more and more sour as he fermented.
Anyway, I'm probably overreacting to the age factor in your comment. (Being an older mother with an even older husband.)
Erik's statement is extraordinary, imo. He managed to get a grasp on reality somewhere along the line.
What a horrible story this is!

[wryter2000]

30. That's not what I meant

Older parents have more patience for dealing with infants and toddlers than younger ones. I was raised by older parents, myself, and tried to get pregnant when I was 40.

What I meant was that I imagine this guy getting uglier the older he got. It isn't mentioned here, but I heard on Stephanie Miller this morning that his ex-wife described him as drinking red wine all day and fulminating in his hate. I imagine that would look a lot more hideous in a 56 year old than in a 36 year old, at least to a child's eye.

[Demoiselle]

31. I know you didn't mean to slam older parents...

but I wonder if his age would make any difference to a child...after all, parents are gods to their children, whatever their age.
.

[Chorophyll]

12. It doesn't surprise me, somehow

that von Brunn's family experienced his "beliefs" as abuse. There's almost surely a connection between terrorism, rampage-killings, and domestic violence.

[baldguy]

14. The talking pustules of the right could take a lesson from this man.

But they won't.

[closeupready]

15. How do I say this - That is a lovely/bittersweet statement.

Sad but moving at the same time. Obviously heartfelt.

[mainer]

16. A very young son for an 88 year old man.

Would have been born when the dad was 56.

[kestrel91316]

17. Von Brunn is a miserable failure. He failed to kill the Jews he hoped to.

He failed to kill more than one black person. Most importantly, he failed utterly to spread his poisonous beliefs to his offspring.

As an added bonus, he made his vile philosophy more visible and more discredited than it already was.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I hope von Brunn suffers every minute of his remaining life.

And I hope his son can find peace and success in his life. He sounds like a fine young man.

[keopeli]

19. Making yourself right after being raised by corrupt parents is the longest, hardest road to travel.

Bravo to this young man. May the road ahead for him be easy and the wind be at his back. His journey thus far has obviously been very painful.

[Ztolkins]

20. Direct link to full statement...

If anyone wants it

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=7826614&page=1


It's worth the read for sure

[Strong Atheist]

55. Belated Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[Joe Chi Minh]

21. The destruction of his own family reminds me of a book by John Grisham.

[progressoid]

22. Wow

just wow

[corpseratemedia]

23. I'm sorry that his father was so blinded by selfish hate that he couldn't see

what a burden he put on his own children with his actions. What must it have been like for him growing up...for years....

He (the son) now has to carry his father's garbage.

I'm so glad his sickness didn't penetrate his son's psyche. I feel so bad for both sons (the murderer's and the victim's).

[wellst0nev0ter]

24. From The Notes The Shooter Wrote:

"The Holocaust is a lie. Obama was created by Jews. Obama does what his Jew owners tell him to do. Jews captured America's money. Jews control the mass media. The 1st Amendment is abrogated -- henceforth."

Yep, Rush Pillpopper is right, this guy is clearly a left-wing nut :eyes:

Christ, why can't I be paid $400 million to spew pureed bullshit? I hope ClearChannel sinks because of that.

[Sheltiemama]

25. Very heartfelt.

Look how many lives that nut has hurt.

[BrklynLiberal]

27. It would seem that hateful man has ruined more lives than we know...

[frylock]

28. damn. i'm fighting back tears after reading that.

[proteus_lives]

29. The son does not follow the father.

Good for him.

[OKNancy]

32. kick

[sarcasmo]

33. Stand up move from Erikvon Brunn.

[Xenotime]

34. Your RW nutjob of a dad is going away forever.

[threadkillaz]

50. Careful, von Brunn was a registered Dem in Maryland

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&safe=off&q=von%20brunn%20registered%20democrat&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn


MSM is lying to everyone as usual.

Divide and conquer. Red in one corner, Blue in the other.

[varelse]

58. Forays Into Freeperville: "Holocaust Museum Shooter" Edition

Nice first link there. :eyes:

[dorkulon]

61. Bullshit.

But I guess that's why you linked to a google news search instead of an actual source article to back up that claim. I defy you to find any legitimate source for that Freeper-created rumor.

[kpete]

35. Statement by Erik von Brunn - Son of Accused Holocaust Museum Shooter Issues Statement

Source: ABC News

Statement by Erik von Brunn
Son of Accused Holocaust Museum Shooter Issues Statement Concerning His Father


Following is a statement by Erik von Brunn, a son of James von Brunn, the 88-year-old man accused of a shooting attack at the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.:

*****

My father's beliefs have been a constant source of verbal and mental abuse my family has had to suffer with for many years. His views consumed him, and in doing so, not only destroyed his life, but destroyed our family and ruined our lives as well.

For a long time, I believed this was our family's cross to bear. Now, it is not only my families lives that are in shambles, but those who were directly affected by his actions; especially the family of Mr. Johns, who bravely sacrificed his life to stop my father.

I cannot express enough how deeply sorry I am it was Mr. Johns, and not my father who lost their life yesterday . It was unjustified and unfair that he died, and while my condolences could never begin to offer appeasement, they, along with my remorse is all I have to give.

While my father had every right to believe what he did, by imposing those beliefs on others he robbed them of their free will. His actions have taken opportunities away from many people and forced decisions not expected, nor warranted, to be made that otherwise would not have been necessary.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=7826614&page=

[rosesaylavee]

36. Poor guy.

What a horrible event all the way around.

EriK, it's not your fault but you are a generous human being to offer your condolences.

[MADem]

37. Classy kid--he must have gotten it from his mother's side. nt

[jaysunb]

41. He's in his 60's. Hardly a kid...

n/t

[MADem]

42. Much younger--you are ALWAYS a kid to your parents! No matter how old you get!

Oh--he's only thirty two...a baby.

[llmart]

43. What?

Did you even read the article?

[Posteritatis]

44. RTFA, the guy's 32 (nt)

[Xipe Totec]

38. My heart goes out to him and his family n/t

[Matariki]

39. That's so sad.

[Trajan]

40. Awwww .... Damn ....

Something clicked reading this: My Dad was a complete asshole whom I had to disassociate myself from early in my teen years and through most of my adult life ...

I hope he can rise above the pain his dad caused, and find solace in this world ....

[Arkana]

45. That's powerful.

And it's the best thing the son could have done.

[orleans]

47. very well said.

think about it--put yourself in the son's shoes. what the fuck can you really say about this horrible situation?

i guess he found the words. he said it very well.

[alfredo]

48. Glad his son is in touch with his humanity.... and reality

[BobTheSubgenius]

49. I'm conflicted about this guy's age.

On one hand, I'm glad that the taxpayers won't have to support this maggot for very long.

On the other, it would be great to think of him having damned long time to reflect on how much even his own family loathes him. Now THAT is a legacy.

[Vidar]

51. Bravo, Erik.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

52. K&R with my deepest feelings.

very eloquent. Powerful

[cindyperry]

53. Hope that you find

some measure of peace both families.

[Strong Atheist]

56. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[NewJeffCT]

54. That was a very powerful statement

I hope the younger von Brunn can find some measure of peace in the future.

[Skittles]

59. a lovely gesture from Mr. von Brunn for the victim's son

poignant indeed

[SacredCow]

60. I think he covered it pretty well...

Poor guy- He probably had one hell of a miserable childhood with that whackadoo as his dad. I hope he has found peace and a good life.