# Multiple gunshots in Alexandria Virginia at the Congressional Baseball Practice. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930 "2017-06-14T12:05:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/61 "2017-06-14T15:37:18Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > This is an official warning. Do not derail threads with political jabs. As per the sticky at the top of the page this rule is specifically moderated in breaking news threads. Do not continue. Sorry, I guess too much coffee, internet access, and this large chip I seem to have on my shoulder don’t mix well. I’ll take a break from my keyboard for a while, and I sincerely apologize to anyone I might have offended with my obvious threadshit. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/62 "2017-06-14T15:42:10Z")
> [@Tzigone](#): > > [CBS reporting a name](https://twitter.com/CBSNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor). Someone said Facebook page said Bernie supporter. Not surprising (we all expected it was likely politically motivated). Expect political discourse to get even worse. Still need to confirm same guy, though. Unless news did that while I wasn’t looking. You don’t need the “someone said”. His [facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/jthodgkinson) is still up. It is clearly his - since he is reported to own a home-inspection business and the facebook page lists that business. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/63 "2017-06-14T15:44:52Z")
News agencies are already all over the alleged shooter’s history. His publicly-visible Facebook status updates have been mined, and there is a lot of casually-damning material present, including some strongly-worded statements about “Trump & Co.” Trial in the court of public opinion is fairly-well guaranteed. Not posting details; Don’t wish to add to the pile-upon, should the accusation be unfounded. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/64 "2017-06-14T15:47:56Z")
[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/steve-scalise-congress-shot-alexandria-virginia.html) is reporting that alleged shooter is identified. **And dead.** > [@NYT](#): > > Two law enforcement officials identified the gunman as James T. Hodgkinson, 66, from Belleville, Ill., a suburb of St. Louis. The Washington Post first identified Mr. Hodgkinson as the suspect in the shooting. > > **Update: President Trump said the suspected gunman has died.** Belleville. Huh. Scott Air Force Base’s stomping grounds. As nice as the rest of the East St. Louis area, I guess. As the the Court of Public Opinion, apparently that’s the only place we’ll ever hear a verdict. Since he died and all. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/65 "2017-06-14T15:48:18Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I am curious as to why our legislators have baseball teams. Probably the same reason any workplace might have a team of some sort - camaraderie, socializing away from the office, blowing off stress, fun thing to do with coworkers… Take your pick. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/66 "2017-06-14T15:48:58Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > Not only are the odds of one of my loved ones getting shot theoretically higher because of Rep. Scalise, but he has also spent the last few months spearheading an effort that would make it harder for them to get the treatment that they would need afterwards. I feel zero guilt for being happy that this happened. > [@skdo23](#): > > Sorry, I guess too much coffee, internet access, and this large chip I seem to have on my shoulder don’t mix well. I’ll take a break from my keyboard for a while, and I sincerely apologize to anyone I might have offended with my obvious threadshit. It happens. That’s one of the reasons why it was felt we had to moderate these types of threads closely, they tend to be emotionally charged and prone to derailment. I appreciate your understanding and I’ll assume the post above was made before you saw my post. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/67 "2017-06-14T15:50:19Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/steve-scalise-congress-shot-alexandria-virginia.html) is reporting that alleged shooter is identified. \*\*And dead.\*\*Belleville. Huh. Chanute Air Force Base’s old stomping grounds. As nice as the rest of the East St. Louis area, I guess. > > As the the Court of Public Opinion, apparently that’s the only place we’ll ever hear a verdict. Since he died and all. Yes the president in his address confirmed the shooter was dead. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/68 "2017-06-14T15:50:43Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > News agencies are already all over the alleged shooter’s history. His publicly-visible Facebook status updates have been mined, and there is a lot of casually-damning material present, including some strongly-worded statements about “Trump & Co.” Trial in the court of public opinion is fairly-well guaranteed. > > Not posting details; Don’t wish to add to the pile-upon, should the accusation be unfounded. Some of the Facebook groups that he belongs to: The Road To Hell Is Paved With Republicans Rachel Maddow For President 2020 The Democrats Join The Resistance Worldwide!! Donald Trump is not my President Terminate The Republican Party Boycott The Republican Party Expose Republican Fraud Hm. I think his political views are pretty clear from that selection. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/69 "2017-06-14T15:55:33Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It happens. That’s one of the reasons why it was felt we had to moderate these types of threads closely, they tend to be emotionally charged and prone to derailment. I appreciate your understanding and I’ll assume the post above was made before you saw my post. Your assumption is correct and, again, I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/70 "2017-06-14T15:57:44Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Some of the Facebook groups that he belongs to: > > The Road To Hell Is Paved With Republicans > Rachel Maddow For President 2020 The Democrats > Join The Resistance Worldwide!! > Donald Trump is not my President > Terminate The Republican Party > Boycott The Republican Party > Expose Republican Fraud > > Hm. I think his political views are pretty clear from that selection. Judging from those hoofbeats, your conclusion would definitely be the “horse” answer. The “zebra” answer is that he’s an opposite-wing nutjob following those groups to troll them, but that is very zebra. Not utterly impossible, just would be very surprising if it happened. So I’m not going to draw any conclusions until there’s some evidence in the suspect’s own words or in reliable testimony from others who knew him. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/71 "2017-06-14T15:58:56Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Some of the Facebook groups that he belongs to: > > The Road To Hell Is Paved With Republicans > Rachel Maddow For President 2020 The Democrats > Join The Resistance Worldwide!! > Donald Trump is not my President > Terminate The Republican Party > Boycott The Republican Party > Expose Republican Fraud > > Hm. I think his political views are pretty clear from that selection. Pretty obvious that he didn’t like Republicans. Is he in any groups that indicates who he supports? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/72 "2017-06-14T15:59:02Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Some of the Facebook groups that he belongs to: > > The Road To Hell Is Paved With Republicans > Rachel Maddow For President 2020 The Democrats > Join The Resistance Worldwide!! > Donald Trump is not my President > Terminate The Republican Party > Boycott The Republican Party > Expose Republican Fraud > > Hm. I think his political views are pretty clear from that selection. In the days to come it will be interesting to see what his mental health history is. On the surface so far he just looks like a regular guy who is a small business owner who happens to be very passionate about his politics. I suspect other issues may come to light. At this point it appears there are two things that meant this wasn’t even worse than it was. The heroic actions of the 2 Capital Hill Police and the fact that the shooter was a horrible shot. It’s basically a miracle that no one was killed at the short range for a rifle that he was firing from. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/73 "2017-06-14T15:59:28Z")
Ryan is saying its a fluke capitol police were there. Paul Ryan doesn’t have a secret service detail??? Does Secret Service only apply to the Executive branch? If so…I never knew that. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/74 "2017-06-14T16:01:06Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Is he in any group that shows who he supports? I linked to his facebook page above. Take a look at the Groups in the “About” section. (Be quick, Facebook likes to take down these pages fast). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/75 "2017-06-14T16:01:37Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Is he in any group that shows who he supports? [Washington Post](https://www.google.com/amp/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/local/2017/live-updates/public-safety/updates-shooting-at-congressional-baseball-practice-in-virginia/acquaintance-describes-campaigning-for-sanders-with-hodgkinson/) has a guy talking about campaigning for Sanders alongside him. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/76 "2017-06-14T16:01:48Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > You don’t need the “someone said”. His [facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/jthodgkinson) is still up. Still up, and getting flooded. Should this be the wrong person, there’s going to be a mess. Hell, there’s a mess already. I’ve already seen several “Communicating Terroristic Threats” violations with just a quick peruse. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/77 "2017-06-14T16:03:44Z")
> [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Ryan is saying its a fluke capitol police were there. > > Paul Ryan doesn’t have a secret service detail??? > > Does Secret Service only apply to the Executive branch? If so…I never knew that. Security for Congress is the responsiblity the Capital Police - at least whilst in the general vicinity of DC. Only two officers present, because that was the level of percieved need and threat. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/78 "2017-06-14T16:06:52Z")
According to [Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/06/14/virginia-gop-baseball-practice-shooting-multiple-people-shot.html): > [@](#): > > The shooter was identified as 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson, of Illinois, Fox News confirmed. President Trump said Hodgkinson died from his injuries. There’s a picture showing an Illinois driver’s license. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/79 "2017-06-14T16:12:42Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Judging from those hoofbeats, your conclusion would definitely be the “horse” answer. > > The “zebra” answer is that he’s an opposite-wing nutjob following those groups to troll them, but that is very zebra. Not utterly impossible, just would be very surprising if it happened. So I’m not going to draw any conclusions until there’s some evidence in the suspect’s own words or in reliable testimony from others who knew him. See, my personal experience with these kinds of things is “Equus.” Because I follow groups from all over the political spectrum. Some to watch and be aware of, some because I agree, some because, well, I do enjoy a bit of trolling now and again, and some just ‘Because.’ Being aware of my own predilictions, I’m aware that others can have non-obvious motivations. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/80 "2017-06-14T16:14:32Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > According to [Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/06/14/virginia-gop-baseball-practice-shooting-multiple-people-shot.html): > > There’s a picture showing an Illinois driver’s license. It’s pretty clear from the picture in the driver’s license that the facebook page linked to above is from the same person. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=5)