GOP Congressman Shot, Gunman Wanted to “Kill As Many Republican Members as Possible”
From DailyMailUK:
The gunman who opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball practice session on Wednesday morning, injuring four people including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, has been named as James T. Hodgkinson.
The shooter from Belleville, Illinois, fired up to 100 rounds from a high powered rifle from the third base dugout at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, as the group practiced batting at around 7:00 a.m.
He was eventually shot by two U.S. Capitol Police officers who were accompanying Scalise. They were both wounded as they exchanged gunfire.
Hodgkinson, who was first named by CBS News, is now in custody and undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
Zachary Barth, a congressional staffer for Texas Rep. Roger Williams was also shot. Senator Rand Paul, who was at the scene but was not injured, described it as a ‘killing field.’
Moments before the attack, a man – thought to be the shooter – asked if the group were Republicans or Democrats, Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis said. North Carolina Rep. Mike Walker told NBC News the ‘gunman was there to kill as many Republican members as possible.’
Michigan Rep. Mike Bishop described how one man – thought to be part of Scalise’s Capitol Police protection detail – stood his ground to return fire as the congressmen and at least one of their children dove for cover in a dugout and Scalise dragged himself across the field after being hit, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
Eyewitness account:
