Gunman dead after shooting top Republican politician at baseball practice

Earlier on Wednesday, James T. Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old home inspector from IL who had several minor run-ins with the law, opened fire on Republicans practicing for the 2017 Congressional Baseball Game for charity.

MedStar Washington said in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon that Rep. Steve Scalise "was critically injured and remains in critical condition". CBS News has confirmed the gunman has been identified by law enforcement as James T. Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Illinois. Bernie Sanders' failed presidential campaign, died of his wounds shortly after exchanging gunfire with Capitol Police. Sanders said he denounced the violence "in the strongest possible terms".

Barton told reporters Wednesday that the gunman first fired shots at Mississippi Republican congressman Trent Kelly and missed before shooting Scalise. The game is scheduled to be played at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals Major League baseball team. Scalise is the majority whip who rallies Republican votes in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover.

House Speaker Paul Ryan's office said Scalise's wounds were not believed to be life-threatening and that a member of the security detail was also shot.

Scalise, a popular and gregarious lawmaker, is known for his love of baseball and handed out commemorative baseball bats to fellow lawmakers when he secured the No. 3 job of House whip several years ago.

"Many people likely would have died this morning if not for the bravery of the Capitol Police". "Many have been shot, but a lot like me got bloody running for cover", he said. Two members of Scalise's protective detail were also wounded, as was a congressional staff member and a lobbyist.

"Marty, our photographer, saw him raise the gun for the first time, the rifle, but he said he thought, 'Why in the world is somebody bird-hunting out here at this time, '" Flake said.

Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent in charge Tim Slater said it was "too early to say" whether it was an act of terrorism, or whether Scalise was targeted. He said he did so to ensure that Mrs. Scalise would not find out about the shooting through the media.

Other lawmakers were stunned in the aftermath of the event, which raised questions about the security of members of Congress.