Gunman targets Republican lawmakers, wounds 5

A lone gunman, identified by authorities as James T Hodgkinson, aimed at GOP lawmakers at a baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia.   

Early Wednesday morning, a gunman attacked members of a GOP baseball team as they ran their final practice ahead of an annual charity game scheduled for the next day at Nationals Park.

Congressman Steve Scalise, two Capitol police officers, a lobbyist and a legislative aide were wounded. In a hail of bullets, police killed the assailant.

“You never expect a baseball field in America to feel like being back in a combat zone in Iraq,” said Ohio Rep. Brad Wenstrup, an Army reservist who served as a combat surgeon in Iraq and was on the field Wednesday when the shooting began. “But this morning it did.”

“The vice president and I are aware of the shooting incident in Virginia and are monitoring developments closely,” President Donald Trump said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders, and all others affected.”

The shooter, James Hodgkinson, is reported to have been a Democrat and supporter of Bernie Sanders.

“I am sickened by this despicable act,” Sanders said.  He confirmed that Hodgkinson had volunteered on his presidential campaign.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences. “On behalf of the government and people of Israel, I send our heartfelt wishes for a full and speedy recovery to Congressman Steve Scalise and the other victims of today’s tragic shooting attack in Virginia. We stand with the victims, their families and the American people on this difficult day,” he stated.

Scalise, who was shot in the hip, is reportedly in critical condition.

By World Israel News 
With files from AP