JOIN USThey said today the gunman who fired at a Marine Corps museum and is believed to be responsible for three similar incidents may have a grievance against the US Marine Corps.
John Perren, the acting assistant director for the FBI's Washington field office, said during a news conference that investigators believe the person takes issue with the institution of the Marines, but not those serving in uniform. Perren said the person has gone to lengths to make sure no one has been hurt, and authorities do not believe he wants to harm citizens or Marines.
Investigators want to talk to the person and find out how to resolve that grievance, Perren said. He said the suspect may be dealing with a traumatic event such as loss of a job, financial problems or divorce.
Perren urged anyone who may have information about the suspect to contact authorities and urged people to quickly report gunfire or suspicious activity. Someone fired shots at the museum 50 kilometres south of the US capital during the night. Authorities said that they do not know exactly what time the shooting happened, but that it appears someone fired from the side of the building facing a major highway.
It is the second time in less than two weeks someone has shot at the museum. Someone also recently shot at the Pentagon and a military recruiting centre. The FBI has said the first three shootings are connected, and investigators say they assume the fourth is connected as well.