Congressman Steve Scalise Shot
Rep. Steve Scalise was shot this morning around 7am during a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. The Congressman is in stable condition after being taken to the hospital. At least 4 other people were shot and or wounded during the attack. As of right now, no fatalities have been reported.
A gunman unleashed a barrage of gunfire Wednesday at an Alexandria park as Republican members of Congress held a morning baseball practice, wounding at least five people including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.
The suspected gunman is James T. Hodgkinson III, 66, from Illinois, according to multiple law enforcement sources. He was wounded in a shootout with police officers and was taken to an area hospital.
The wounded also included two Capitol Police officers and a congressional aide, according to one law enforcement official and witness accounts.
Scalise’s office said the congressman was wounded in the hip and underwent surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said his officers are in good condition and have not suffered any life-threatening injuries.
Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said two of his officers engaged in “gunfire and return fire” in Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.
The FBI is taking over as lead investigators; Verderosa said “it’s going to take a while to sort through all the details.” Tim Slater of the FBI said it is “too early to tell whether anyone was targeted. … It’s really raw now. We’re exploring all angles.”
As people offered prayers for the victims, a picture of Hodgkinson began to emerge. A Facebook page belonging to a person with the same name includes pictures of Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, and rhetoric against President Trump,
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it is conducting emergency traces on two firearms, one rifle and one handgun.
Scalise’s office, in a statement, said the congressman was out of surgery by 10:30 a.m. The statement described the Whip, before surgery, as in good spirits and speaking to his wife by phone. “He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues,” the statement said.
Scalise, who has been in Congress since 2008, represents a district that includes some New Orleans suburbs and bayou parishes. Before entering Congress, he was a lawmaker in Louisiana for eight years. Scalise and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and live in Jefferson, La.
Steve
Steve is an affordable multifamily housing professional that is also the co-founder of Whiskey Congress. Steve has written for national publications such as The National Marijuana News and other outlets as a guest blogger on topics covering sports, politics, and cannabis. Steve loves whiskey, cigars, and uses powerlifting as an outlet to deal with the fact that no one listens to his brilliant ideas.
