Two lawmakers who were leaving practice when they encountered Hodgkinson before the shooting believe he was targeting Republicans.
Rep. Steve Scalise is still in critical condition, but his health is improving, the Congressman's surgeon said two days after Scalise was shot at a practice for the Congressional Baseball Game.
Scalise was among five people wounded when the shooter sprayed rifle fire at congressional Republicans practicing for the game.
NPR congressional correspondent Susan Davis joins us now. Will you update us on his condition? He remains in critical condition Thursday. He did have a third surgery this morning. "It's more than just a game, but this year, it has a little bit more of a serious meaning to it". That includes - when the bullet entered, it traveled across his pelvis. And he has needed several blood transfusions. This is what he had to say.
Trump added that Scalise is "having a hard time, far worse than anybody thought" following the shooting Wednesday. It's been - he's in some trouble.
"I hope he's in good enough shape to watch, because he'll certainly feel good about what he sees", Flake said. "I think Dems will win the baseball game, but I think everyone wins tonight".
Scalise's security detail and other police officers shot and killed the assailant, James Hodgkinson of IL, who had lashed out against President Donald Trump and other Republicans over social media.
Bailey is a member of Congressman Steve Scalise's protective detail.
NSA Contractor From South Texas Accused of Leaking Russia Intelligence Report
Victor is now the defendant in the Trump administration's first criminal leak case, reports CBS News correspondent David Begnaud. Victor is set to go before US Magistrate Judge Brian Epps for a detention hearing Thursday in Augusta , Nichols said .
DAVIS: The sergeant at arms, Paul Irving, met again with Republicans at that meeting. Capitol Police said they had "no evidence to suggest that the purchases were not lawful".
Once a relatively cosy affair, played at a minor league ballpark in Maryland, the game has gone big time in recent years and has been played at Nationals Park, just a few streets from the Capitol. "We've had a very, very divided country for many years".
The Congressional Baseball Game for Charity - usually a low-key event that draws about 10,000 people - had sold more than 20,000 tickets and raised more than $1 million for charity as of Thursday afternoon, according to organizers. Proceeds for the game benefit a number of local charities. And then it's one of those things that has really built long-lasting, personal friendships across the aisle.
Republican Rep. Gregg Harper of MS gaveled in the session on Thursday, and Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania opened the morning speeches. He's a pitcher on the team.
With Thursday's game, Democrats have won 40 of the contests over the years. He said Republicans were on the field, shortly before the gunman began shooting at them. "That is the source of unity, and more than ever, we must embrace it".
"The game will go on, D's v. R's, as it has for nearly a century", Huffman said. Members of Congress and the event's organizers made a decision to continue with the game anyways. It's the first time they're doing that since the 1980s because of so much interest in the game. Signs in both the Republican and Democratic sections read: "Scalise Strong" and "Team Scalise". That lasted until the end of the seven-inning game.
"Our family asks that you continue to pray for Steve ... and all of those hurt in this attack", Jennifer Scalise said in the statement.
SHAPIRO: NPR's Susan Davis - thanks, Sue.
Comments