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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/jun/14/virginia-shooting-house-majority-whip-congressional-baseball-practice-live
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Virginia shooting: Trump says attacker has died of injuries – live | |
(35 minutes later) | |
4.49pm BST | |
16:49 | |
South Carolina representative Jeff Duncan, who left baseball practice early, said he thinks he spoke to the gunmen in the parking lot before the shooting. | |
Duncan, a Republican, said the conversation wasn’t out of the ordinary, though the man asked him which party the players represented. | |
Duncan told reporters he was “shaken up” by the incident. “The world changed for us a little bit as members,” he said. | |
"I'm shaken up. My colleagues were targeted" -- @RepJeffDuncan (R-SC) pic.twitter.com/6UwjPUVlvn | |
4.48pm BST | |
16:48 | |
President Trump from the White House: | |
Everyone on that field is a public servant. Our courageous police, our congressional aides, who work so tirelessly behind the scenes with enormous devotion, and our dedicated members of congress who represent our people. We may have our differences, but we do well in times like this to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capitol is here because, above all, they love our country. | |
We can all agree that we are blessed to be Americans, that our children deserve to grow up in a nation of safety and peace, and that we are strongest when we are unified, and when we work together for the common good. Please take a moment today to cherish those you love and always remember those who serve and keep us safe. God bless them all, God bless you, and God bless America. | |
4.38pm BST | |
16:38 | |
Trump: Shooter has died | |
Donald Trump is speaking now. He has just announced that the assailant has died of his injuries. | |
4.35pm BST | |
16:35 | |
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has released the following statement on this morning’s shooting: | |
I know the entire Senate will join me in echoing the sentiments of the president this morning. We are deeply saddened. We are concerned for all those injured. We will keep them in our prayers, we will continue to send them every wish for a quick and full recovery. | |
We are grateful for all those who stepped in to help: those practicing on the field, the first responders, and of course the Capitol Police Officers on the scene. We are deeply indebted for their service, we again salute their continuing and unfailing bravery on behalf of the Capitol community. The Congressional Baseball Game is a bipartisan charity event. I know the Senate will embrace that spirit today as we come together in expressing both our concern and our gratitude.” | |
House Majority Leader Paul Ryan is also expected to deliver remarks around noon from the Senate floor, and President Trump is expected to speak from the White House at any moment. | |
Updated | |
at 4.35pm BST | |
4.29pm BST | |
16:29 | |
An acquaintance of suspected shooter James Hodgkinson told the Washington Post that he met and became friendly with the man while campaigning for Bernie Sanders in Iowa. | |
Charles Orear, 50, a restaurant manager from St. Louis, said in an interview Wednesday that Hodgkinson was a passionate progressive and showed no signs of violence or malice toward others. | |
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Orear said when told of the incident by phone. “I met him on the Bernie trail in Iowa, worked with him in the Quad Cities area.” | |
Orear described Hodgkinson as a “quiet guy” who was “very mellow, very reserved” when they stayed overnight at a Sanders’s supporter home in Rock Island, Ill., after canvassing for the senator. | |
“He was this union tradesman, pretty stocky, and we stayed up talking politics,” he said. “He was more on the really progressive side of things.” | |
The Post reached out to Orear after seeing that he liked one of Hodgkinson’s Facebook posts. | |
Updated | |
at 4.31pm BST | |
4.23pm BST | |
16:23 | |
Police chief: FBI taking over investigation | |
Updates from the late morning law enforcement press briefing in Alexandria: | |
Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown: | |
This is not an active incident, the city is safe. We have an active investigation but I want to reassure the community here in Alexandria that the city is safe. | |
Because this case involves an assault on a federal officer, the FBI will be taking over the investigation. | |
I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women who were involved from the Alexandria Police Department, they did an outstanding job. | |
Capitol Hill Police Chief Matthew Verderosa: | |
My units of our dignitary protection were on site with a congressional protectee [Steve Scalise], when we the incident occurred. They did engage in gunfire with the suspect and were assisted by the Alexandria police. | |
The US Capitol Hill Police officers who were injured are in good condition and have not suffered any life threatening injuries at this point. | |
FBI Agent Tim Slater: | |
“It’s too early to say right now” whether the shooting constitutes an act of terrorism. “We are exploring all angles”Slater would not confirm whether the members of congress were targeted for that reason or not, or any other details about the shooter, the weapon, or questions he may have asked. | |
Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe: | |
I want to compliment members of the US Capitol police for their extraordinary quick action. Through their heroic action and others, they saved a lot of lives today. | |
Asked by reporters if more should be done to protect politicians, McAuliffe replied: “I think we need to do more to protect all of our citizens. I have long advocated – this is not what today is about – but there are too many guns on the streets.” | |
He then misspoke, claiming: “We lose 93 million Americans a day to gun violence. I have long talked about this. Background checks and shutting down gun show loopholes, and that’s not for today’s discussion, but it’s not just about politicians. We worry about this every day for all of our citizens.” | |
Prompted by a journalist, McAuliffe later clarified that 93 individuals, not 93 million, die every day from gun violence. | |
Updated | |
at 4.49pm BST | |
4.08pm BST | 4.08pm BST |
16:08 | 16:08 |
The AP is reporting that the suspected shooter has been identified as Illinois man James T. Hodgkinson by at least one government official. The Guardian cannot independently confirm the name of the individual who is in custody and receiving medical attention. | The AP is reporting that the suspected shooter has been identified as Illinois man James T. Hodgkinson by at least one government official. The Guardian cannot independently confirm the name of the individual who is in custody and receiving medical attention. |
3.45pm BST | 3.45pm BST |
15:45 | 15:45 |
.@RepJoeBarton and his sons board the subway in the Capitol after a shooting at the Republican's baseball practice in Va. #baseballshooting pic.twitter.com/4lrc80frcj | .@RepJoeBarton and his sons board the subway in the Capitol after a shooting at the Republican's baseball practice in Va. #baseballshooting pic.twitter.com/4lrc80frcj |
3.32pm BST | 3.32pm BST |
15:32 | 15:32 |
Our Lauren Gambino is on Capitol Hill getting reaction from legislators: | Our Lauren Gambino is on Capitol Hill getting reaction from legislators: |
Mark Meadows says the shooting showed "the worst in humanity today ... but you also see the best." | Mark Meadows says the shooting showed "the worst in humanity today ... but you also see the best." |
He said it is "certainly not the appropriate time" to start a debate on policy over gun control and background checks https://t.co/VCVvczBzMn | He said it is "certainly not the appropriate time" to start a debate on policy over gun control and background checks https://t.co/VCVvczBzMn |
3.29pm BST | 3.29pm BST |
15:29 | 15:29 |
David Smith | David Smith |
Our David Smith is on the scene of the shooting and talking to local residents: | Our David Smith is on the scene of the shooting and talking to local residents: |
Megan Hacala, a fitness professional, said nothing like this had happened before in the neighborhood. “It’s a peaceful place. A lot of baseball is played. There’s a dog park right next to the field. It’s just sad.” | Megan Hacala, a fitness professional, said nothing like this had happened before in the neighborhood. “It’s a peaceful place. A lot of baseball is played. There’s a dog park right next to the field. It’s just sad.” |
A growing band of reporters, photographers and TV crews are gathered behind police tape at the corner of DeWitt and Monroe Avenues, close to the redbrick Anglican Catholic Church: St Andrew & St Margaret of Scotland. It is affluent neighbourhood of detached redbrick houses, front porches, neat lawns and trees. | A growing band of reporters, photographers and TV crews are gathered behind police tape at the corner of DeWitt and Monroe Avenues, close to the redbrick Anglican Catholic Church: St Andrew & St Margaret of Scotland. It is affluent neighbourhood of detached redbrick houses, front porches, neat lawns and trees. |
One resident of the street, who did not wish to be named, came out on her front path to view the commotion. She said she walked by the baseball field every day and described it as a safe area where locals walk their dogs. | One resident of the street, who did not wish to be named, came out on her front path to view the commotion. She said she walked by the baseball field every day and described it as a safe area where locals walk their dogs. |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.30pm BST | at 3.30pm BST |
3.26pm BST | 3.26pm BST |
15:26 | 15:26 |
Zachary Barth, a staffer for GOP Rep. Roger Williams of TX, posted on FB that he was shot but is "okay." Gave permission to post thru friend pic.twitter.com/ruUuNrtqn6 | Zachary Barth, a staffer for GOP Rep. Roger Williams of TX, posted on FB that he was shot but is "okay." Gave permission to post thru friend pic.twitter.com/ruUuNrtqn6 |
3.03pm BST | 3.03pm BST |
15:03 | 15:03 |
From the office of Steve Scalise to members of Congress: Members are advised that, given today’s events, no votes are expected in the House today. In addition, there will be no morning hour speeches at 10:00 a.m. | From the office of Steve Scalise to members of Congress: Members are advised that, given today’s events, no votes are expected in the House today. In addition, there will be no morning hour speeches at 10:00 a.m. |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.03pm BST | at 3.03pm BST |
2.55pm BST | 2.55pm BST |
14:55 | 14:55 |
Update on the condition of majority whip Steve Scalise from his congressional office: | Update on the condition of majority whip Steve Scalise from his congressional office: |
“This morning, at a practice for the congressional baseball game, Whip Scalise was shot in the hip. He was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he is currently undergoing surgery. He is in stable condition. | “This morning, at a practice for the congressional baseball game, Whip Scalise was shot in the hip. He was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he is currently undergoing surgery. He is in stable condition. |
“Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone. He is grateful for the brave actions of US Capitol Police, first responders and colleagues. | “Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone. He is grateful for the brave actions of US Capitol Police, first responders and colleagues. |
“We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.” | “We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.” |