Witness video captures shooting at GOP baseball practice

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (Lousiana) was among five people who were shot Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia, in what sources are calling an apparent "deliberate attack."

The suspected shooter was identified by authorities as James T. Hodgkinson, 66, of Illinois. He was shot by Capitol Police and later died, President Trump said.

Court records show that Hodgkinson had legal trouble back into the 1990s. His most serious problems apparently came in 2006, when he was arrested on a battery charge. Records indicate he has not been involved in any legal cases since 2011.

Hodgkinson's Facebook page indicates that, until recently, he ran a home-inspection business out of his home in Belleville, in the southwestern corner of the state, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.

Trump said Scalise, two Capitol Police officers and two others were wounded in the shooting. Officials said earlier that none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, but Scalise was later listed in critical condition.

Trump called Scalise a friend, patriot and fighter.

"America is praying for you and all the victims of this terrible shooting," Trump said.

The shooting took place at a park where GOP members were practicing for an annual charity baseball game that is scheduled for Thursday night.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (Alabama) said he was on deck at the practice when the shooting occurred.

Scalise, a member of the House Republican leadership as the majority whip, appeared to have been shot in the hip. 

Trump tweeted that Scalise was badly injured.

U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (Texas) said a member of his congressional staff was among the victims.

Trump said the police officers took the gunman down after they were wounded.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake said the gunman had "a rifle of some sort (and) a lot of ammo."

Flake said Scalise was playing second base at the practice when he was shot by a man standing off the third-base side of the field. He said Scalise dragged himself into the outfield to get farther away from the shooting.

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Witnesses said there were more than 50 and as many as 100 shots fired.

Alexandria police said earlier that they were responding to a "multiple shooting." The tweet also said the suspect is in custody "and not a threat." 

Brooks said there were a number of congressmen and congressional staffers lying on the ground, and at least one of them was wounded. The Alabama Republican said he used his belt as a tourniquet to help one of the victims.

He said the shooter appeared to be a white male but added that, "I saw him for a second or two."

He said the shooter was behind the third base dugout and didn't say anything.

"The gun was a semiautomatic," Brooks said. "It continued to fire at different people. You can imagine, all the people on the field scatter."

At least two Florida congressmen, reps. Ronald DeSantis and Thomas Rooney, were at the practice. Both are OK, their respective offices told News 6.

The FBI and local law enforcement officials said they haven't identified a motive, but DeSantis said it might have been political.

"I left a few minutes before this happened," said DeSantis, who reportedly added that a man matching the description of the shooter asked him, "Are those Republicans or Democrats out there practicing?"

U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan (South Carolina) recounted a similar story, saying a man approached him as he was leaving the field and said, "Excuse me, sir, who's practicing today? Democrats or Republicans?"

Duncan said he has no doubt the man he spoke with was the shooter, based on photos he's seen.

House Speaker Paul Ryan later spoke, saying, "We are united in our anguish. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us."

Reps. Matt Gaetz and Dennis Ross, both of Florida, are also on the team roster.

The Republican Party of Florida released a statement about the shooting.

"(We join) this nation in prayer for the unfortunate shooting in Alexandria, Virginia. The events that unfolded this morning are sad and overwhelming.  But we thank U.S. Capitol Police and first responders for their swift and brave actions. Rest assured, their immediate response helped save lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, staff and the Capitol Police that fell victim to this horrific event,” said RPOF Chairman Blaise Ingoglia.   

White House spokesman Sean Spicer tweeted earlier that Trump had been made aware of the shooting.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected," Spicer tweeted.

Trump released a statement earlier in the morning about the shooting.

"The vice president 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," he said.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio also tweeted that his prayers are with Scalise, his staff and Capitol Police.

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