Top Republican Congressman Steve Scalise shot in Virginia

Sanders backer opens fire at baseball practice session of GOP Congress members

U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on May 17, 2017.

Republican Chief Whip in the House of Representative Steve Scalise and four others were injured in a shooting incident in the suburbs of the U.S capital on Wednesday morning.

The assailant, James T. Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old Illinois man, died from injuries sustained in the ensuing shoot-out with the police. He had volunteered for Senator Bernie Sanders in last year’s presidential campaign and called Republicans “racist and sexist” on Facebook.

According to reports that quoted eyewitnesses, before opening fire, Hodgkinson was heard asking, “are these Republicans or Democrats?” He used a semi-automatic rifle to fire at least 50 shots as Mr. Scalise, other Republican lawmakers and Congressional staffers ran for cover at a sports facility about 13 km from the Capitol where they were at practice for the annual charity baseball match between Republican and Democratic lawmakers scheduled for Thursday. Democrats were at another facility.

All injured are out of danger, it was learnt.

Mr. Sanders said in a statement in the Senate. “I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can be: Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.” He said change could come only “through non-violent 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,” Mr. Sanders said.

Proceedings called off

The House of Representatives said it cancelled all proceedings that were scheduled for Wednesday.

President Donald Trump said in a statement, “The Vice-President [Mike Pence] and I are aware of the shooting incident in Virginia and are monitoring developments closely. 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.”

Mr. Scalise was shot in the hip, his office said, adding that his condition was stable. He underwent a surgery at the MedStar Washington Hospital Centre. “He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues,” a statement said.

The shooting brings back into focus the debate over gun control in the U.S.