GOP Representative Steve Scalise was shot in the hip along with three of his aides by a gunman using a rifle during a congressional baseball practice at the Eugene Simpson Baseball Fields in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia early Wednesday morning.
Representative Mo Brooks, who was also at the practice, witnessed the attack and said he saw someone with a rifle behind the third base dugout. Brooks then heard Scalise scream from second base and rushed to help him, using his belt as a tourniquet to stop Scalise’s bleeding.
Senator Rand Paul, also a witness, said he heard “as many as 50 shots” and saw a staffer climb a fence to flee the area. Responding Officers opened fire on the gunman—who later died.
As of 9:45 AM ET, Rep. Scalise was undergoing surgery for his injuries. The hospital later said he was in critical condition.
WATCH: Video captures shootout at GOP baseball practice
The shooter has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, according to law enforcement officials. Hodgkinson, 66, owned a home inspection business. His home inspection license expired in November 2016 and was not renewed, state records show.
Hodgkinson was charged in April 2006 with battery and aiding damage to a motor vehicle, according to online records in St. Clair County, Illinois. The charges were dismissed, records show.
Hodgkinson has an active Facebook page which features a photo of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at the top and political posts throughout.
The Illinois man littered his Facebook page with political photos and commentary. A sample: He wrote recently, “Trump is a Traitor. Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy. It’s Time to Destroy Trump & Co.”
Hodgkinson voted as a Democrat in 2016. He also filled his Facebook page with political posts, many of them focused on Bernie Sanders. His cover photo is of Bernie.
The now deceased gunman was part of several Facebook groups, including one called “Terminate the Republican Party”:
– “The Road to Hell is Paved with Republicans”
– “Donald Trump is not my President”
– “President Bernie Sanders”
– “Illinois Berners United to Resist Trump”
– “Boycott the Republican Party”
– “Expose Republican Fraud”
– “Terminate the Republican Party”
Scalise is a United States House of Representatives Majority Whip and representative for Louisiana’s 1st congressional district, serving since 2008.
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