Shots Fired At Marine Corps Museum In Northern Virginia
N 38° 32.669 W 077° 20.546
18S E 295857 N 4268830
The National Museum of the Marine Corps was one of several military installations near Washington, D.C. to be targeted by a sniper.
Waymark Code: WMAHEJ
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 01/16/2011
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During the month of October, 2010, several military-related institutions were fired on by a sniper with a high-powered rifle. The National Museum Of Marine Corps in Triangle, VA, which was the first to be hit, was targeted on two separate occasions. The shootings were eventually linked to similar attacks at the Pentagon, a Marine Corps Recruiting Station, and a Coast Guard Recruiting Center hit in early November. All are located in northern Virginia.
Bullet holes were first discovered in the the glass panels of the Marine Corps Museum's triangular facade on the morning of October 17. Police determined that the attack had occurred during the overnight hours and the shots probably came from I-95. Although the panels, valued at $10,000 each, were damaged, no one was injured and none of the artifacts or displays were damaged. The bullet holes were on the west side which faces I-95 and closest to a Harrier jet which is one of the aircraft suspended inside the museum.
Several days later, the Pentagon was hit by high-caliber bullets. An empty Marine Corps Recruiting Center was the next to be shot at. The museum was then hit a second time on October 28. Additional damage was discovered to the outside panels and metal structure.
FBI profilers have said that since all the attacks came late at night when no one (with the exception of the Pentagon) was present. that the sniper is possibly a disgruntled individual with a grievance against the Marine Corps, but has no intention or wish to hurt soldiers or civilians.
To date, no one has been charged in the incidents.
The shootings were widely reported on TV, the internet, and newspapers. Additional articles: