The big news this morning is that several Republican congressmen and staffers, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), were shot during baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. As of this writing at least five people appear to have been shot, but there are apparently (thankfully) no fatalities. One of those shot was identified as Zack Barth, a staffer for Texas Rep. Roger Williams. Early reports that Williams himself was shot appear to be erroneous.
Police have identified the shooter as James T. Hodgkinson, who reportedly asked whether the congressmen were Republicans or Democrats before opening fire.
I bet you can guess Hodgkinson’s political affiliation:
“Hodgkinson Wrote on Facebook, ‘Trump is a Traitor. Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy. It’s Time to Destroy Trump & Co.'”
His Facebook page also includes rants against congressional Republicans (or what a police detective would call “motive”), and he was arrested for battery in 2006. (The charges were later dismissed.)
Hodgkinson is what the Hillary team dismissively referred to as a “Bernie Bro”:
WaPo sources identify shooter as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, IL. Here's, uh, his Facebook. pic.twitter.com/eB7CJ5Yrt0
— Alex Griswold (@HashtagGriswold) June 14, 2017
Here’s the photo everyone seems to be using of him:
Is it bad of me that the first thing that comes to mind is Walter Sobchak from The Big Lebowski?
“League game, Smokey!”
Democrats are reacting with their usual grace and tact:
Nope nope nope you can't use "respect for human life" to defend GOP house leadership. That's just bad math.
— Malcolm Harris (@BigMeanInternet) June 14, 2017
Developing…
Update: Shooter Hodgkinson has reportedly died from wounds inflicted by capitol police.
Update 2: Senator Sanders has properly condemned the shooting.
Update 3: President Trump uses occasion to praise capitol police. Virginia Governor and Clinton crony Terry McAuliffe uses the occasion to push for gun control.
Update 4: More class from the left:
Hahaha. As always, this one is my fault.
And for the record, fuck #SteveScalise. https://t.co/kQAKu6ZXzL
— Jesse Benn (@JesseBenn) June 14, 2017