The suspect, who reportedly died after a shootout with the police, was a member of anti-Republican groups and had an extensive criminal record.
A shooting rampage during practice for a charity baseball game in Alexandria, Va. on Wednesday left five wounded and resulted in the death of the alleged suspect, James T. Hodgkinson.
During a press conference, the President Donald Trump announced that the 66-year-old Illinois man who opened fire had been killed. House Speaker Paul Ryan told Congress that the shooter left five wounded: House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, lobbyist Matt Mika, Special Agent David Bailey, Special Agent Crystal Griner, and Zack Barth, a staffer to Rep. Roger Williams.
According to CNN, Rep. Scalise is currently in critical condition.
Texas Rep. Roger Williams, one of the team’s coaches, tweeted that one of his staff members, legislative correspondent Zack Barth, was “receiving medical attention but is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery.”
The Capitol Police officers who were injured are “in good condition and have not suffered any life-threatening injuries at this point,” Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said at a news conference.
As CBS News reports, Hodgkinson was carrying an M-4 assault rifle and a handgun at the time of the Alexandria, Va. shooting. While his motives are still unclear, the FBI say that they are still investigating.
Here’s 5 Things To Know About The Alleged Suspect, James T. Hodgkinson:
1. He Has A Criminal Record:
According to The Belleville News-Democrat, in 2009, Hodgkinson was charged by Belleville police for failing to obtain an electrical contractor license or electrical permit before performing work. He has DUI, resisting arrest and fleeing charges from Jan. 7, 1993, that were dismissed after court supervision.
As The Daily Beast discovered in police reports, Hodgkinson allegedly beat his daughter:
Hodgkinson was also “observed throwing” an unnamed minor “around the bedroom,” the police report said. Police identified the girl as his daughter. After the girl broke free, Hodgkinson followed and “started hitting her arms, pulling her hair, and started grabbing her off the bed.”
When a woman tried escaping with Hodgkinson’s daughter in a vehicle, Hodgkinson reached inside and “turned off the ignition,” the report said. “James then pulled out a possible pocket knife and cut [her] seatbelt.”
The charges were dismissed, according to court records.
2. He Has Been Described As A “Quiet Guy:”
According to The Washington Post, Charles Orear, 50, a restaurant manager from St. Louis, said that he became friendly with Hodgkinson during their work together in Iowa on Sanders’s presidential campaign.
Orear described Hodgkinson as a “quiet guy” who was “very mellow” and “reserved.”
3. His Social Media Shows That He Was Against Trump:
As The Belleville News-Democrat reports, he was a member of Anti-Republican groups including “Terminate the Republican Party” and “Illinois Berners United to Resist Trump.”
Additionally, his social media pages are reflective of his disapproval of the 45th President.
4. He Was A Licensed Home Inspector:
As The Washington Post reports, Hodgkinson was a licensed home inspector in Illinois, according to public records, but his license lapsed last November.
Their reports found that a web page on Yelp indicates that Hodgkinson had been doing home inspections since 1994 and had 30 years experience in construction and remodeling as a general contractor, and that he worked in both Missouri and Illinois.
5. He Was A Bernie Sanders Supporter; Sanders Condemned The Shooting
As reports have shown that Hodgkinson once volunteered for Sanders’ campaign, the Vermont senator has condemned the shooter.
“I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms. Real change can only come about through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values. My hopes and prayers are that Representative Scalise, congressional staff and the Capitol Police Officers who were wounded make a quick and full recovery,” Sanders said in a statement from the Senate floor on Wednesday.
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