# 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:** 5
**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, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/81 "2017-06-14T16:17:33Z")
[Shooting Eyewitness: Man With AK-47 Opened Fire - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOheB1TFHKU) was a pretty good interview by an eyewitness. ---
**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, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/82 "2017-06-14T16:23:18Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Pretty obvious that he didn’t like Republicans. > > Is he in any groups that indicates who he supports? I’d still call this unproven at this point, but [here you go](https://twitter.com/rollcall/status/875022053719638016): > [@](#): > > BREAKING: Bernie Sanders said shooter volunteered on his presidential campaign, via CQ Roll Call’s @ryanmccrimmon and @andymvanwye ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/83 "2017-06-14T16:24:06Z")
> [@](#): > > Update: President Trump said the suspected gunman has died. Do we have confirmation from a reputable source? ---
**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, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/84 "2017-06-14T16:28:24Z")
And apparently he made a couple of small donations to the Democratic fund-raising organization Act Blue in 2016 ([source](https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?two_year_transaction_period=2016&contributor_name=hodgkinson&min_date=01%2F01%2F2015&max_date=12%2F31%2F2016&contributor_state=IL)) ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/85 "2017-06-14T16:31:02Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Do we have confirmation from a reputable source? Good point. I can’t find anyone reporting that he is dead from any source but the moron-in-chief. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/86 "2017-06-14T16:34:20Z")
Kind of weird because the guy in the AP interview that \*\*HurricaneDitka \*\*posted, who was very well-spoken and seemed like he might be police, military or secret service (he was a witness who had been at the YMCA gym next to the ballfields) said he "saw the suspect on the ground in handcuffs). When I heard that I was curious as to when he got to be dead as well. Do they cuff people they have presumably shot 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, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/87 "2017-06-14T16:34:44Z")
To introduce some levity to the very serious matter, here is a “firearms expert” explaining to MSNBC anchor about the difference between weapons the Capitol Police were using and the one shooter was using: > Of course the “expert” for some reason thinks that “semi-auto” means “auto”. But it’s MSNBC, so who cares. ---
**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, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/88 "2017-06-14T16:36:13Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Do they cuff people they have presumably shot dead? [Yes, they do.](http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2015/04/why-cops-handcuff-dead-people.html) ---
**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, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/89 "2017-06-14T16:36:26Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Do they cuff people they have presumably shot dead? Yes. It’s very routine for police to handcuff a suspect they shot. ETA: Ninja’d ---
**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, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/90 "2017-06-14T16:39:14Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > To introduce some levity to the very serious matter, here is a “firearms expert” explaining to MSNBC anchor about the difference between weapons the Capitol Police were using and the one shooter was using: > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/amountainpass/status/874994394000236545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.redstate.com%2Fstreiff%2F2017%2F06%2F14%2Fmsnbc-firearms-expert-explains-guns-work-video%2F) > > Of course the “expert” for some reason thinks that “semi-auto” means “auto”. But it’s MSNBC, so who cares. They’re getting trashed on Twitter for it, and deservedly so. ---
**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, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/91 "2017-06-14T16:40:57Z")
I’m hearing a lot of ‘Are we returning to the days of the old west???’ or 'Let everyone carry guns?? Great it will be the old west!!" Trivia: The ‘old west’ had all kinds of gun control. Like ‘turning in your guns when entering town’ gun control. ---
**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, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/92 "2017-06-14T16:43:19Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I am curious as to why our legislators have baseball teams. > [@FairyChatMom](#): > > 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. I happen to think that it’s a good thing when the two parties get together to just act like humans together. In this case it’s a bit more than the office softball game. According to CNN it goes back to 1909 and recent games have raised $600,000 for charity. CBS radio reports the game will go on. It is being held where the Nationals play so security and screening shouldn’t be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/93 "2017-06-14T16:44:37Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Do we have confirmation from a reputable source? He’s dead. Check the [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/steve-scalise-congress-shot-alexandria-virginia.html?_r=0). ---
**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, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/94 "2017-06-14T16:52:15Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Kind of weird because the guy in the AP interview that \*\*HurricaneDitka \*\*posted, who was very well-spoken and seemed like he might be police, military or secret service (he was a witness who had been at the YMCA gym next to the ballfields) said he "saw the suspect on the ground in handcuffs). When I heard that I was curious as to when he got to be dead as well. Do they cuff people they have presumably shot dead? It’s a pretty good neighborhood. Coulda beena lawyer. And yes, they do handcuff possibly-dead individuals, if they’re 1) not sure they’re dead, and 2) the offender was violent, or might (if still breathing) become violent is they regain consciousness. _Edit_: And I see that the second part has already been thoroughly answered. 😛 ---
**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, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/95 "2017-06-14T16:52:24Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > He’s dead. Check the [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/steve-scalise-congress-shot-alexandria-virginia.html?_r=0). That article also sources that information from the President’s news conference. This fails the criteria of some of the folks up-thread (including who you’re responding to) that apparently wouldn’t believe Donald Trump if he reported that the Pope is Catholic and the sun rises on the eastern horizon. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/96 "2017-06-14T16:53:03Z")
Several witnesses say they didn’t recognize the shots as gunfire, basic description as a popping sound. I am puzzled. There’s a Sheriff’s Dept. firing range about 3/4 mile from our house. Even at that distance, the gunfire is not a popping sound. It’s loud and clearly gunfire. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/97 "2017-06-14T16:57:27Z")
The Chairman of my agency heard the shots this morning as he was walking near his home, but wasn’t sure if they were gunshots or not (several hundred yards distant). ---
**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, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/98 "2017-06-14T16:58:47Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Several witnesses say they didn’t recognize the shots as gunfire, basic description as a popping sound. > I am puzzled. > There’s a Sheriff’s Dept. firing range about 3/4 mile from our house. Even at that distance, the gunfire is not a popping sound. It’s loud and clearly gunfire. It’s not uncommon for people to mistake the sound of gunshots for something else. I’d say “popping sound” is the most common description I hear / read from witnesses. ---
**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, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/99 "2017-06-14T17:09:53Z")
Bernie issues a statement: > “I have just been informed that the alleged shooter at the Republican baseball pracice is someone who apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign. I am sickened by this despicable act…” ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/100 "2017-06-14T17:21:23Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Bernie issues a statement: > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/danmericaCNN/status/875021847020146691/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > “I have just been informed that the alleged shooter at the Republican baseball pracice is someone who apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign. I am sickened by this despicable act…” [Here’s the full statement; I think it deserves to be read: > [@Bernie Sanders](#): > > I have just been informed that the alleged shooter at the Republican baseball practice is someone who apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign. I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms. Real change can only come about through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values. > > My hopes and prayers are that Representative Scalise, congressional staff and the Capitol Police Officers who were wounded make a quick and full recovery. I also want to thank the Capitol Police for their heroic actions to prevent further harm. ]([Bernie Sanders Offers A Perfect Statement On Baseball Shooter Being A Campaign Volunteer](http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/14/bernie-sanders-offers-perfect-statement-baseball-shooter-campaign-volunteer.html)) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=6)