Gunman accused of shooting congressional leader, four others has died

WASHINGTON — A gunman opened fire this morning on Republican lawmakers practicing for a charity baseball game, injuring House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and four others.

President Trump has just reported that the alleged gunman, who was shot by return fire, is dead.

“Authorities are continuing to investigate the crime and the assailant has now died from his injuries,” the president said.

CNN is reporting that federal law enforcement sources have identified the shooter as James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Ill. CNN also said sources have told them that investigators have found anti-Trump posts on social media pages belonging to the assailant.

Reports say a lone gunman fired at least four dozen rounds at the Congress members, staff and others who were in the area.

Scalise’s office released a statement this morning saying the congressman had been shot in the hip and was in stable condition as he was about to undergo surgery at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.

The statement said Scalise was “in good spirits” before going into surgery and had spoken to his wife by phone. His office said he was grateful to Capitol Police, first responders and colleagues, and asked that the congressman and the other injured in the attack be kept in thoughts and prayers.

There were no immediate reports on the extent of the injuries of others who were injured.

A Southwest Georgia congressman who has participated in the event before is not this year. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, has participated in the charity game between Democrats and Republicans, scheduled this week at the Washington Nationals’ field but was not at the GOP team’s practice this morning.

“Congressman Scott has participated in that game in the past, but he was not out there this morning,” his press secretary, Rachel Ledbetter, confirmed to The Albany Herald. She said the incident was “still very fluid.”

On his Facebook page this morning, Scott said, “Praying for my colleague and friend House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and others shot this morning during a morning baseball practice in a D.C. suburb.”

“I am deeply saddened by this senseless shooting,” Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, said. “It is a direct attack on our democratic values. My thoughts are with those that were injured and their families, and I pray for a full and swift recovery for all that were impacted by this tragedy.

“Furthermore, I want to recognize and thank the Capitol Police officers on the scene. Their heroism prevented further injury or loss of life, and for that we are in their debt.”

U.S. Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., tweeted: “Our heartfelt prayers go out to all of the members, staffers, and Capitol Police officers affected this morning.”

In an appearance this morning on Fox Business, Perdue said, “On a personal level … Steve is a friend of mine. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family this morning, his wife and his children. I’m horrified. This is a shock to all of us here this morning. It accentuates we’ve got to find a balance to being available and accessible to our constituents and the public, yet providing security for our leaders.”

Perdue said he’d met with Scalise two days ago and someone who “works both sides of the Hill, and he’s a leader.”

The lawmakers were accompanied by Capitol Police officers because of Scalise’s ranking in the House, and reports said two of those officers were among those wounded.

“I am so proud of the Capitol Police,” Perdue said on Fox. “I feel secure in this building — this is inside the Russell Office Building — and we feel secure here. It just shows we have to be vigilant about these outliers out there …”

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., told CNN there were a number of congressmen and congressional staffers lying on the ground, and at least one of them was wounded. Brooks said he used his belt as a tourniquet to help one of the victims.

He told CNN the shooter appeared to be a white male, but added that “I saw him for a second or two.” He said the shooter was behind the third base dugout and didn’t say anything.

“The gun was a semiautomatic,” Brooks said, adding that he was sure it was a rifle but unsure what kind. “It continued to fire at different people. You can imagine, all the people on the field scatter.”

CNN reported that Scalise is the first member of Congress to be shot since former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot in January 2011. Giffords was shot in the head by Jared Lee Loughner at a “Congress On Your Corner” event at a Tucson grocery store. Giffords, who authorities said was the main target of the shooting, survived the attack but six others were killed and an additional 12 were injured.