The man behind the US Holocaust Museum shooting, which left a guard dead, has died in prison.

James von Brunn shot and killed Stephen Tyrone Johns on June 10 last year during an attempted raid on the museum in Washington.

Von Brunn, 88, died in a prison hospital on Wednesday of natural causes after suffering from chronic heart disease and complications arising from the wounds he incurred in the shooting.

Von Brunn was awaiting trial on possible death penalty charges in the federal prison in Butner, North Carolina.
After the shooting police found a note in his car which said: “The Holocaust is a lie. Obama was created by Jews.”

On Wednesday, the museum issued a statement which said: “The museum’s thoughts and prayers continue to be with Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns' family at this time.

“Officer Johns died heroically defending the museum, visitors and staff. This tragedy is a powerful reminder that our cause of fighting hatred remains more urgent than ever.”