WASHINGTON -- The Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden was evacuated on Monday afternoon after a security guard reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a non-public area, according to police and museum dispatches on Twitter.
Police are investigating death of @hirshhorn security guard by self-inflicted gunshot wound. The museum has been evacuated and closed.
— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) August 20, 2012
UPDATE: 7th and Independence, Smithsonian Police are investigating death of security guard by self-inflicted gunshot wound. //5020
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) August 20, 2012
The incident occurred in a non-public area and no one else was injured.
— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) August 20, 2012
According to The Washington Post, the guard, who was not identified by the Smithsonian, shot and killed himself with a department-issued revolver in a basement locker room around 3:05 p.m. The guard was 31 or 32 years old and was alone at the time.
On Monday, the museum was scheduled to open a new site-specific installation by artist Barbara Kruger.
This is a developing story ...
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