In Aftermath of Shooting, Let’s Step Back From Talk of Violence

The Eugene Simpson Stadium Park where a gunman opened fire on a practice of the Republican congressional baseball in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14. Alex Wong/Getty Images

As we go to press with this week’s edition, we learn that Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), along with a Capitol Hill staffer and two members of Scalise’s Capitol Hill police security detail, were wounded by a gunman in Alexandria, Virginia. The gunman is reported to have sprayed a baseball field with bullets, using a high-powered rifle.

Scalise was taking part in a practice game with the Republicans’ team for a charity baseball game. He was wounded in the hip and underwent surgery. As of press deadline, reports were not available on the extent of the injuries suffered by the others wounded.

The gunman has been identified as 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson, originally of Belleville, Illinois, but recently relocated to Alexandria.

Hodgkinson was a supporter of Bernie Sanders whose Facebook page has several posts critical of Donald Trump.

In a late morning press conference on June 14, Trump reported that Hodgkinson had died from injuries sustained as the police returned his fire.

Police and investigators gather at an intersection near the scene where shots were fired during a congressional baseball practice, wounding House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), in Alexandria, Virginia on June 14, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Theiler