President Trump announced late Wednesday morning that the man who shot up a baseball practice of Republican members of Congress in Northern Virginia has died. James Hodgkinson, an Illinois man who opened fire Wednesday morning and injured five individuals, including House Republican whip Steve Scalise, died from injuries from gunfire by Capitol police officers.
“Congressman Steve Scalise, a member of House leadership, was shot and badly wounded, and is now in stable condition at the hospital, along with two very courageous Capitol police officers,” Trump said in a televised statement from the White House.
The president singled out Scalise, the third-ranking member in the House of Representatives, calling him a “patriot and a fighter.”
“Steve, I want you to know that you have the prayers not only of the entire city behind you but of the entire nation and, frankly, the entire world,” said Trump. “I spoke with Steve’s wife, Jennifer, and I pledged to her our full and absolute support. Anything she needs.”
Trump offered praise to the Capitol police, who were on the scene as part of Scalise’s security detail. “Our brave Capitol police perform a challenging job with incredible skill. Their sacrifice makes democracy possible,” said Trump. He also lauded the first responders in Alexandria, Virginia, where the group of congressmean and their aides were practicing for Thursday’s charity baseball game against Democratic members of Congress.
The president closed with a message to the country. “We may have our differences, but we do well in times like these to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capital serves because above all they love our country. We can all agree we are blessed to be Americans,” he said.
