The man who shot Scalise in Alexandria, Va., while GOP members of Congress were practicing for the annual charity baseball game was identified as James Hodgkinson, 66, a Sen.
Slater said he would not speculate on a motive for Hodgkinson, who was believed to have been living in a cargo van parked in the area since March.
He later died of his injuries, Trump told the nation from the White House. "He will recover from this assault", Trump said. "Their sacrifice makes democracy possible".
"America is praying for you and America is praying for all of the victims of this bad shooting", he said".
The events left the capital horrified and stunned, and prompted immediate reflection on the current hostility and vitriol in American politics.
Several of the lawmakers said they encountered the gunman just before he opened fire, as they were leaving the stadium. Trump visited the Louisiana congressman at the hospital Wednesday night, and Vice President Mike Pence paid a visit Thursday morning. The president then tweeted: "Rep. Steve Scalise, one of the truly great people, is in very tough shape - but he is a real fighter". The House's top Democrat Nancy Pelosi echoed Ryan's message. "We do it for charity", Barton said. In this image from House Television video, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., pauses as he speaks Wednesday, June 14, 2017, on the House floor at the Capitol in Washington, about the shooting at the congressional baseball pract.
Scalise, No. 3 in the House of Representatives Republican leadership, was shot in the hip. The popular and gregarious lawmaker is known for his love of baseball and handed out commemorative bats when he secured the job of House whip several years ago.
Texas Rep. Roger Williams says a member of his staff was among those shot and is receiving medical attention. One of the Capitol officers is also still in the hospital. A former congressional aide was hospitalized. The game is scheduled to be played at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals Major League baseball team.
Tim Slater, special agent in charge of the FBI's Washington field office, said Hodgkinson had rifle and a handgun with him when he opened fire.
Putin: Western sanctions made Russia stronger
He added that the tightening of sanctions against Russian Federation was evidence of the "internal political struggle" in the U.S. If Comey, who was sacked by Trump, continues to be persecuted, "we will be ready to provide him political asylum", Putin said.
His social media presence indicated he was strongly opposed to Republicans, including President Donald Trump. He was hit in the leg, he said, but "my fight or flight kicked in".
He received multiple blood transfusions and is in critical condition.
"This is my tenth year in office, and there have been two times when people have threatened my life", Riel said.
Five people were taken from the scene to hospitals, Alexandria's police chief, Michael Brown, told reporters.
Locally, McKean County Republican Party Chair Stacy Wallace reminded that the shooter is responsible for his own actions.
Wednesday's incident was the first shooting of a member of the U.S. Congress since January 2011, when Democratic Representative Gabby Giffords was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt at a gathering of her constituents in Tucson, Arizona.
Another victim, lobbyist Matt Mika, is in critical condition as of Thursday morning, according to a statement from his family.
The gunman was arrested after a security detail for Scalise returned fired. Obama's appearance came as he was struggling to win Democratic votes for an unpopular trade-related measure.
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