WASHINGTON — Stephen Johns, a 39-year-old security guard, was described by his boss as an “outstanding colleague who greeted us every day with a smile.”
Apparently Johns did not have time to react Wednesday when James W. von Brunn walked into the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, near the National Mall.
“Immediately upon entering the front doors of the museum, he raised the rifle and started shooting,” Washington Police Chief Cathy Lanier said of von Brunn.
Well-wishers came to Johns’ boyhood home in Temple Hills, Md., on Thursday.
“If Steve saw an old lady struggling with groceries, he’d go help her,” said Kevin Martin, who first met Johns at Crossland High School in Maryland. Johns was a 1988 graduate
“He was just a genuinely good guy,” said another friend, Carlton Spriggs, who met Johns when they were in their early 20s and training to become plumbers. “I can’t think of anything bad to say about him.”
Johns, 39, was a fan of the Washington Redskins, they recalled, and once enjoyed listening to the hip-hop group NWA.
Johns’ mother, Jacqueline Carter, who lives at the Temple Hills home, described her 6-foot-6 son as “my teddy bear.” She said her only child was thoughtful and remembered special dates like anniversaries and birthdays.
“He was kind, he was gentle, he was loving,” she said. “He loved people and he loved his job.”
Carter said Johns had an 11-year-old son, Stephen Johns Jr., and recently celebrated his first wedding anniversary with his second wife. Carter said President Barack Obama called Johns’ wife Thursday to express his condolences.
Martin said he believes God put Johns at the museum to stop more harm.
“He had a death wish when he went in there,” Martin said of the gunman. “I think God put Steve in that position to stop him from doing what he wanted to do.”
An official with the union that represents Wackenhut employees at the museum said Johns was paid about $20 an hour.
Assane Faye, the Washington district director of the Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America, said that during contract negotiations with Wackenhut two years ago, the union pressed for company-issued protective vests. Although Wackenhut seemed open to the idea, vests have not been issued, Faye said.
The company would say only that all officers were wearing appropriate equipment as specified in their contract.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
