So far – 5 people have been confirmed as shot by the assailant, among them House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La). The gunman has been has shot and is in custody according to Alexandria Police. There are some reports that claim he has died – that is unconfirmed.
The gunman has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Illinois. He has now died.
2017/06/14 – Belleville suspect in congressional shooting belongs to anti-GOP groups – Belleville News Democrat
The shooter was James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, who belonged to a number of anti-Republican groups, including one called “Terminate the Republican Party.”
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Hodgkinson has a varied arrest record in St. Clair County, for offenses such as failing to obtain electrical permits, damaging a motor vehicle, resisting a peace officer, eluding police, criminal damage to property, driving under the influence and assorted traffic offenses.
2017/06/14 – Baseball shooting: Who is James T Hodgkinson, the gunman who opened fire on congressional team practice? – UK Telegraph
2017/06/14 – Acquaintance describes campaigning for Bernie Sanders with shooting suspect – Washington Post
2017/06/14 – Virginia shooting: House majority whip shot at congressional baseball practice – Guardian Live Updates
Congressman Mo Brooks is giving a remarkable eyewitness interview on CNN.
Of the shooter he said:
I don’t know if he was killed but I tell you I don’t have any kind thoughts about the shooter so let’s leave it at that.
He appeared to be a white male. But bear in mind I saw him for just a second or two, a fraction of a second.
If I had to guess, middle aged … he wasn’t skinny, but he did not appear to be obese either.
Describing the situation, Brooks said:
You’re pretty helpless. It’s not a good situation to be in. I don’t know what took our security detail as long as it took them to start exchanging fire … It seemed like a long time but it might have been seconds … They exhibited tremendous bravery.
I got a glimpse of the shooter which meant he also could see me if he looked in my direction. At that point I ran around home plate.
There were probably 10, 20, 30 shots fired while two or three of us were seeking cover.
At least five people were hit with bullets.
2017/06/14 – Congressman Shot in Mass Shooting at Baseball Practice for GOP House Members in Virginia – People
2017/06/14 – Alexandria shooting: Republican congressman and aide among those shot by Virginia gunman at charity baseball practice – The Independent
2017/06/14 – Shots Fired at Congressional Baseball Practice – Voice of America News
There are reports of gunfire at a Virginia baseball field near Washington where members of Congress were practicing. As many as 50 shots were fired.
2017/06/14 – GOP whip Steve Scalise and at least 4 others shot during early morning baseball practice – Raw Story
Brooks said he got a look at the gunman and described him as a white male who was “a bit on the chubby side.”
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Sen. Rand Paul, who was also at the practice, told MSNBC that he heard between 50 to 60 shots fired by the gunman. He said he believed the shooter was using an AR-15-style rifle.
2017/06/14 – House Whip Scalise, security detail shot at baseball practice; suspect in custody – Washington Times
Rep. Ron DeSantis, who left the practice just prior to the shooting, said a man at the scene asked him if those on the field were Republicans or Democrats.
“As I was getting into the car with one of my colleagues, Jeff Duncan, there was a guy who walked up to us and asked if it was Republicans or Democrats out there. And it was just a little odd and then he kind of walked toward the area where all this happened,” the Florida Republican said on Fox News’s “Fox & Friends.”
News in Context 