James T. Hodgkinson Dies in Custody
The man responsible for shooting Rep. Steve Scalise and others on Wednesday morning has died in police custody. James T. Hodgkinson opened fire on Republican Representatives practicing for an annual charity baseball game earlier today. Early indications are that Hodgkinson’s intentions may have been politically motivated.
A man unleashed a barrage of gunfire Wednesday at a park in Alexandria, Va., as Republican members of Congress held a morning baseball practice, wounding five people, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (La.).
President Trump said the gunman — identified by multiple law enforcement officials as James T. Hodgkinson III, 66, from Illinois — died after a shootout with police, two of whom were wounded in the gun battle.
The wounded also include a congressional aide, a lobbyist and two Capitol Police officers.
As people offered prayers for the victims, a profile began to emerge of Hodgkinson, a onetime home inspector. A Facebook page believed to be his includes pictures of 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and rhetoric against President Trump, including a post that reads: “Trump is a Traitor. Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy. It’s Time to Destroy Trump & Co.”
In remarks made from the White House shortly before noon, Trump called for unity and commended the injured officers.
“Many lives would have been lost if not for the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman despite sustaining gunshot wounds during a very, very brutal assault,” Trump said.
Trump said he spoke with Scalise’s wife and offered his full support to the congressman’s family. He called Scalise a friend, patriot and fighter, and thanked the first responders who aided those on the field that morning.
“We may have our differences, but we do well in times like these to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capital is here because, above all, they love our country,” Trump said.
The incident unfolded shortly after 7 a.m. during the final practice before Thursday night’s scheduled charity game between Republicans and Democrats at Nationals Park. Players and bystanders described a horrific and prolonged attack in which wounded police officers returned fire, and Scalise, felled by a bullet to his hip, crawled across the field to get out of harm’s way.
Scalise’s office said the congressman underwent surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, in the District.
Zach Barth, a legislative correspondent for Rep. Roger Williams (R-Tex.), was shot but is expected to make a full recovery.
Matt Mika, a lobbyist for Tyson Foods, was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, a company spokesman said.
Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said his two wounded officers are in good condition and do not have life-threatening injuries.
The FBI is now leading the investigation. Verderosa said that “it’s going to take a while to sort through all the details,” and Tim Slater of the FBI said that it is “too early to tell whether anyone was targeted. . . . It’s really raw now. We’re exploring all angles.”
But Hodgkinson’s political statements were immediately examined as a possible motive.
Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) told reporters that he spoke briefly with a man he thinks was the shooter, and that he “asked me if the team practicing was a Democrat or Republican team.” Duncan added, “I told him they were Republicans. He said, ‘Okay, thanks,’ turned around.”
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.
