UPDATE: Police have identified the alleged assailant in this morning’s attacks on Republican congressmen at a ballfield just outside the nation’s capitol as James T. Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Ill.
Hodgkinson reportedly opened fire about 7 a.m. EDT, spraying the field with bullets from a semi-automatic rifle from behind a chain-link fence near the third-base dugout as lawmakers practiced for the annual Congressional baseball game. Five people were injured in the attack, according to a New York Times report, including Steve Scalise (R-La.), majority whip for the U.S. House of Representatives. Two members of Scalise’s protective detail were among those injured, as well as a congressional staffer and a lobbyist for Tyson Foods.
Two victims remained in critical condition, according to the Associated Press.
Capitol Police exchanged fire with and wounded Hodgkinson before he was taken into custody. He later died of his injuries, according to Associated Press reports.
The shooter was reportedly politically vocal, having expressed discontent with the Republican Party on both his Facebook accounts and in letters to the editor submitted to his hometown newspaper. Hodgkinson was also highly critical of President Donald Trump.
According to Associated Press reports, the shooter had volunteered efforts to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.
“I am sickened by this despicable act,” Sanders said in a statement. “Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms,” he said. “Real change can only come about through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was present at the incident but unharmed. He told reporters at the scene that “it would have been a massacre” if not for the efforts of Capitol Police.
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A rifle-wielding gunman has reportedly opened fire on Republican lawmakers as they practiced for an upcoming baseball game with Democrats Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Va.
According to Associated Press reports, several congressmen were hit as a result of the attack, including House majority whip Steve Scalise (R-La.). Scalise was struck in the hip, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Sen. Rand Paul, (R-Ky.) was also present at the incident but was not injured, according to media reports. The condition of others injured was not known as of 8:30 a.m.
Witnesses have reported as many as 50 shots fired in the incident; staffers and police detail were believed to be included among the injured.
Police say the suspect is in custody.