Wednesday, June 14, 2017

James T. Hodgkinson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

james hodkingson, james hodgkinson shooterHeavy.com  "An anti-Trump, Republican-hating Bernie Sanders supporter with a history of domestic violence has been identified as the shooter who opened fire on Republican members of Congress Wednesday morning at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, the Washington Post reports. He was shot by police at the scene and later died at a local hospital, President Donald Trump said.

" 'James T. Hodgkinson, 66, was from Belleville, Illinois, the newspaper reports. A motive for the shooting is not yet known, but Hodgkinson’s Facebook page shows someone who had a high interest in politics, who supported Bernie Sanders during the presidential election and expressed anger with President Donald Trump and Republican Congressmen.

"The gunman was shot by two Capitol Hill Police officers who were at the scene as a security detail for Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Majority Whip, who was among those shot. The two police officers, special agents David Bailey and Krystal Griner, were also wounded, along with Zack Barth, a staffer for Rep. Roger Williams of Texas and a former staffer turned lobbyist, Matt Mika. The victims are all expected to survive, but Mika was the most seriously injured and was in critical condition Wednesday afternoon.

"Two Congressmen, Rep. Jeff Duncan and Rep. Ron DeSantis, described an encounter with a man who asked them if those practicing were “Republicans or Democrats” before the shooting. DeSantis, when shown a photo of Hodgkinson, confirmed he was the man who approached him, CNBC reports.

"Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said his officers and Capitol Police officers exchanged fire with the gunman.

"Sources told the CNN it was a “deliberate attack.”

"The GOP baseball team was practicing at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria when the shooting occurred. The Republican team was preparing to play its annual game against Democratic congressmen at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

"This post will be updated as more information is made available. Here is what we know so far:" . . . Hat tip to Steve Alison

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