I was watching TV morning news, when the programming was interrupted to announce that US Congressional Representative Steve Scalise (R-LA) and his aid were shot by a single gun man while they were participating at a practice baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia. Representative Scalise and his coworkers were hard at work to get ready for this week’s bipartisan game to be held at the National stadium.
Witnesses have described Rep. Scalise dragging himself from second base into the outfield after he was shot, leaving a trail of blood. It seemed like at least 10 minutes before someone could get to him to render assistance. Those present indicated that they heard a single isolated shot followed by a “rapid succession” of 5 to 10 shots.
The democrats were practicing at another location. They ended the workout as they took time out to pray for their fellow coworkers.
Fortunately, because Rep. Sclaise has been in a leadership position in the US Congress, the Capitol police were on hand where two were able to disable the shooter. Both were wounded. Another representative, Brad Wenstrup of Ohio who had experience as a combat surgeon was on hand to provide first aid. Within minutes a helicopter was taking Rep. Scalise, his aid, the two capitol police and the gun man to the closest hospital. There may be a sixth victim. So far, it looks like there have been no fatalities. A GW Hospital spokesperson has announced that the two wounded capitol officers were in critical condition. Rep. Scalise’s office provided an update that he was in good spirits before he was transported into surgery.
It looks like the gunman may have been specifically targeting republicans. Earlier the shooter had asked someone if those who were playing baseball, were republicans. This has not been confirmed. It has been mentioned that the perpetrator was using a rifle where he could fire multiple shots. He has been described as a heavy set man with a height of about 5 feet 10 inches.
Here is the rest of the story…
As per today’s 6/14/17 USA Today report by John Bacon, “A gunman opened fire on a Republican congressional team practice Wednesday and at least one congressman was wounded, authorities said.”
“Multiple congressman at the scene in Alexandria, Va., said Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was among those wounded. Police in Alexandria, Va., said a suspect was in custody.”
“Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., said the shooting occurred at the field where the Republican baseball team practices. The practice session was almost over when the shooting occurred, he said.”
“I heard a bang, and I thought it sounded like a gun. I never saw a shooter,” he said. “I heard him. I was close to the damn thing. Some of our people have been hit. This is horrible. I got bloody running and jumping into the dugout.”
“Fleischmann estimated there were 50 to 60 people at the practice, including House members, senators and their staffs. “Many have been shot, but a lot like me got bloody running for cover,” he said.”
“It is just a madhouse here,” Fleischmann said. “It’s horrible. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
“Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who was at the scene, said several people were shot but that Scalise was the only House member wounded.”
“We heard a very loud shot” during batting practice,” Flake said. Then many more shots, and Capitol Police returned fire.”
“Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., told CNN, people scattered and that Scalise was among those who were shot.”
“He was not able to move under his own power. He was dragging his body from second base,” Brooks said. “There was not a whole lot we could do. He was shot in the hip. I think it was not a life-threatening wound.”
“It’s not easy when you see people around you being shot and you don’t have a weapon yourself,” Brooks said. “You feel helpless.”
UPDATE: Suspect is in custody and not a threat. PIO will be onscene shortly to share updates.
“The team of Republican congressman and staff members were practicing for a charity baseball game scheduled for later this week against a Democratic team. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said his team was practicing when they heard about the attack on the Republicans.”
“We’re safe & with police, everyone praying for GOP colleagues, staff & Cap police,” Huffman tweeted.”
As per the 6/14/17 Washington Post update by Matt Zapotosky and Ellen Nakashima, “The shooter at the GOP congressional baseball practice this morning is James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill., according to law enforcement officials. Hodgkinson, 66 or (67), owns a home inspection business. His home inspection license expired in November 2016 and was not renewed, state records show.” Mr. Hodgkinson has passed away due to gunshot wounds.
Crustyolemothman has shared a facebook link belonging to Mr. James T. Hodgkinson below in his comments.
Gronda Morin 
Thanks for your news break Gronda.
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Dear CarolMaeWay,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. This tragedy could have been a huge tragedy but thanks to some brave capitol officers, lots of lives were saved.
Hugs, Gronda
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Yes it could have been worse.
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Mz. Gronda, Grab this link while it is still available, as it will probably be gone in a short while!
https://www.facebook.com/jthodgkinson
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DEAR CRUSTYOLEMOTHMAN,
THANKS FOR YOUR QUICK RESEARCH AND FOR THIS REFERENCE. It looks like he was a Bernie Sanders campaign volunteer.
There was a lot of hate directed at him from Trump supporters.
Hugs, Gronda
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Gronda, thanks for sharing this. I will say what I have said to some who have advocated anarchy, we cannot condone or encourage violence toward anyone. Full stop. It is more than OK to disagree, but we must have civil discourse. I do not care which side of whatever debate you are on. Further, acting violently toward elected representatives is even worse, as we have asked them to address our issues.
I am grateful that no one was killed and that police were on hand to limit the bloodshed. I am heartened by the overwhelming support of all members of Congress.
Keith
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Dear Keith,
And the hate trolling by Trump supporters has to end as well. There is no need of this from either side of the aisle. On the shooter’s Facebook, it looks like a lot of hate was directed his way..
Hugs, Gronda
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What a sad crazy country we live in, this partisan politics has really gotten out of hand. Since when does violence ever solve problems or lead to peace? With proper dialogue, perhaps BOTH sides can de-escalate their nonsensical radicalized views. If Trump was a real president, he would immediate hold a press conference to unite the country, and tone down his offensive rhetoric. Perhaps i’m being naive, just my 2 cents.
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Dear 1EarthUnited,
Thank you for some real common sense advice. What the shooter resorted TO was beyond the pale. Crustyolemothman is sharing the shooter’s Facebook link which shows that a lot of hate was directed his way.
Hugs, Gronda
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Yes, thanks you Crusty for ur quick thinking, lets hope ppl start thinking before they act after this mindless act.
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Seems like the President took it to heart:
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Dear Mz. Gronda,
As I am sure you realize the link to the shooter is no longer workable! I knew that would happen that is why I was in such a hurry to get it posted so as many of you as possible could actually read his many posts, before they were misrepresented in various venues. Here is another post for you to look at, while this is only audio, it is pretty graphic in context to the number of shots fired.
Does anyone else find it ironic that but a short while ago our tRump was saying that the attack in GB could not have happened here because we were safe because we had so many guns, and I and others simply said the death count would have been higher had guns been used? How many of our GOPTP political figures argued that guns make us safe?
https://nypost.com/2017/06/14/the-moment-the-gop-shooter-opened-fire/
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Dear Crustyolemothman,
Thanks for the shooter’s Facebook reference before it was scrubbed. At least I got a peak. And thanks for the current reference with a video of the shooting.
THIS IS SUCH A BIG LIE THAT HAVING MORE GUNS MAKES US SAFER.
Unless you have the gun on your person with it being loaded and ready to shoot, this is the lie. I bet some of those practicing for a baseball game, owned guns which were not on their person. Face it. It is hard to play the game while carrying a weapon.
I worked for years in the auto-property insurance business. On most occasions if peoples were robbed at gunpoint, the owners did not have easy access to the guns in the household. The guns were just one more item which ended up in that hands of criminals. This is nothing when compared to the harm done by accidental shootings.
Having more guns available to make us safer is a huuuuge whopper of a lie. I am way more fearful of being harmed by the idiot with easy access to a gun versus a refugee terrorist which is truly a rare to non-existent event.
Hugs, Gronda
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It’s all horrible. We’re slowly being driven insane by an enemy who uses fear and deception in strange new ways.
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Dear Rob,
This is why the president has the alt-right brigade working in the White House. While he cannot deliver bigly on the promises he repeated frequently at his campaign rallies, he can cater to the alt-right folks.
Hugs, Gronda
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