Mediaboss Marketing

GUNMAN OPENS FIRE AT GOP BASEBALL PRACTICECongressional baseball game: What to expect | 0:42

Lawmakers will continue their congressional baseball game tradition despite the shooting that wounded 5 people, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, during the Republican team's practice. Security will be especially tight. USA TODAY

1 of 30

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) was shot among several people shot during practice for a charity baseball game. USA TODAY

2 of 30

Multiple shots reportedly fired by gunman at GOP congressional baseball practice. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was among several people shot. USA TODAY

3 of 30

Police have named the man they believe to be behind the D.C. area suburb shooting, and it turns out he was an ardent Bernie Sanders supporter. Nathan Rousseau Smith (@fantasticmrnate) explains. Buzz60

4 of 30

Former Alexandria, Virginia Mayor Bill Euille says he met James T. Hodgkinson, the man who opened fire on Republican Congress members. Euille says he found Hodgkinson to be rational, calm and polite. (June 15) AP

5 of 30

Hours after the attack in Virginia, a picture began to emerge of an attacker with a mostly minor arrest record who worked as a home inspector and despised the Republican Party. But friend says shooter didn't seem prone to violence. (June 14) AP

6 of 30

The St. Clair County, Illinois Sheriff says deputies warned James T. Hodgkinson in March that it was dangerous to fire a gun near homes. Hodgkinson has been identified as the man who shot at Republican Congress members on a baseball field. (June 15) AP

7 of 30

Sen. Rand Paul and Rep. Mo Brooks detail the heroic efforts of U.S. Capitol Police during the shooting at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. USA TODAY

8 of 30

The Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate took to the floor to express sadness over the shooting at a congressional baseball practice that left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and a number of others injured. (June 14) AP

9 of 30

Gov. John Bel Edwards, House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego and lawmakers gathers in the Louisiana Capitol's Memorial Hall Wednesday to pray for the recovery of Congressman Steve Scalise, R-New Orleans, and other victims. Greg Hilburn/USA Today Network

10 of 30

Leaders in the House of Representatives from both parties joined together in words to heal and unite their members after the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise. (June 14) AP

11 of 30

In the wake of the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise in Virginia Wednesday, police are beefing up security around Capitol Hill. Veuer's Nick Cardona (@nickcardona93) has that story. Buzz60

12 of 30

Republican Rep. Jeff Duncan says he suspects he spoke with the man who minutes later opened fire on the congressional baseball practice. (June 14) AP

13 of 30

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) recounts the shooting in which House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and a number of others were wounded by a gunman in Alexandria, VA. USA TODAY

14 of 30

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, speaking on the Senate floor Wednesday, said the Alexandria shooter was someone who "apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign." (June 14) AP

15 of 30

Authorities identified James T. Hodgkinson as the man who shot Rep. Steve Scalise and several others during a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. USA TODAY

16 of 30

Bernie Sanders condemned the actions of the gunman who opened fire at a congressional baseball practice. USA TODAY

17 of 30

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) recounts the shooting in which House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and a number of others were wounded by a gunman in Alexandria, VA. USA TODAY

18 of 30

One Republican congressman is linking the shooting of Representative Steve Scalise to the political rhetoric of Democrats. Veuer's Nick Cardona (@nickcardona93) has that story. Buzz60

19 of 30

President Trump shared kind words about House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who is in stable condition after being shot during a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. USA TODAY

20 of 30

President Donald Trump describing a "brutal, brutal" assault in the shooting of a top House Republican Wednesday, said, "many lives would have been lost if not for the actions of the two Capitol Police officers." (June 14) AP

21 of 30

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer thanked the U.S. Capitol Police officers who jumped into action during a shooting at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. USA TODAY

22 of 30

Authorities describe the quick response to a gunman opening fire during a congressional baseball practice. USA TODAY

23 of 30

An eyewitness says the suspected gunman who Rep. Steve Scalise and several others used an assault rifle, such as an AK-47, to open fire on the baseball field Wednesday morning. (June 14) AP

24 of 30

Was the tragic D.C. shooting politically motivated? One lawmaker at the scene seems to think so. Nathan Rousseau Smith (@fantasticmrnate) reports. Buzz60

25 of 30

A gunman opened fire on a group of Republican lawmakers who were at a baseball practice field in Alexandria, Virginia early Wednesday. Josh King has the story (@abridgetoland). Buzz60

26 of 30

A top House Republican, Louisiana's Steve Scalise was among several people shot by a rifle-wielding gunman at a congressional baseball practice just outside of Washington. Amateur video shows one person being wheeled away from the scene. (June 14) AP

27 of 30

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown called the scene where Congressman Steve Scalise was shot "stable" and said there was not addtional threat. AP

28 of 30

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot Wednesday at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va., congressional officials say. (June 14) AP

29 of 30

Residents in the Virginia Alexandria neighborhood that was the scene of the shooting recounted to reporters the massive police presence in its aftermath. (June 14) AP

30 of 30

Congressional baseball game: What to expect

Who is Rep. Steve Scalise?

Gunman opens fire during congressional baseball practice

Here's what we know about alleged Va. shooter James Hodgkinson

Former Alexandria mayor describes meeting gunman

Illinois friend: Shooter didn't seem prone to violence

Neighbor called sheriff about James Hodgkinson

Rand Paul: Alexandria shooting could've been 'a massacre'

Senate leaders: 'We're deeply saddened'

La. Capitol unites in prayer for Congressman Scalise

Ryan calls shooting 'an attack on all of us'

Police beef up security around the Capitol in wake of Va. shooting

Rep. Duncan says he thinks he spoke to shooter

Rep. Mo Brooks said they were 'helpless' in baseball shooting

Sanders: 'I am sickened by this despicable act'

James T. Hodgkinson: What we know

Shooter allegedly worked on Bernie Sanders' campaign

Rep. Mo Brooks: "You have a baseball bat, they have a rifle, you are defenseless."

GOP Rep: Links the shooting of Rep. Scalise to rhetoric from Democrats

Trump: Steve Scalise is a patriot, fighter

Trump: Shooting was a 'brutal assault'

McConnell, Schumer praise Capitol Police for bravery

Capitol Police update Alexandria shooting

Shooting eyewitness: Man with AK-47 opened fire

GOP Rep says before shooting, man asked about political party of group

President Trump responds to shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise and others

Amateur video captures Steve Scalise shooting aftermath

Police: Virginia shooting scene 'stable'

Steve Scalise, officers shot at congressional baseball practice

Virginia residents recount shooting aftermath

Senator Rand Paul chats upon arrival with those assembled at the St. Matthews Community Center on Monday morning. 3/20/17 (Photo: Marty Pearl/Special to The C-J)Buy Photo

Saying that a "massacre" had been prevented, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, praised Capitol Police after a gunman opened fire ascongressmen and aides were practicing for an upcoming congressional baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia.

"I was there and am shaken but unharmed," Paul said in a statement. "Many people likely would have died this morning if not for the bravery of Capitol Police. My thanks to them are inadequate but heartfelt."

Paul told MSNBC's Morning Joe that he was in the batting cage when the incident occurred and was not injured.

Police say the suspect, James Hodgkinson, 66,raged against President Trump and once singled out House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who was wounded in the attack.

Scalise, R-La.was shot in the hip and listed in critical condition at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Federal authorities said it was too early to determine whether the assault targeted members of Congress. But Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., raised the ominous prospect that the incident may have been politically motivated, saying that a man who appeared to match Hodgkinson's description approached him and others in the parking lot of the Alexandria, Va., baseball field to ask whether the practice involved Republicans or Democrats.

In a March 22 Facebook post, Hodgkinson, who turned his ire against Trump, who he described as a "traitor.''

"Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy,'' he said. "It's Time to Destroy Trump & Co."

Excerpt from:
Sen. Rand Paul: Capitol Police prevented a 'massacre' after shooting at Virginia baseball field - The Courier-Journal