Gruber: Michigan Congressman Targeted By Shooter
A man who wanted to kill as many Republicans as possible opened fire on GOP members who were on a baseball field practicing for a charity baseball game against Democrats. Among those targeted were three members of the Michigan delegation to Congress.
66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson was a Bernie Sanders volunteer during the 2016 Presidential campaign but became outspoken and angry upon the election of President Trump. Hodgkinson was a member of numerous anti-Republican groups and posted numerous hateful comments on Facebook and other social media outlets. He posted on Facebook ‘Trump is a traitor. Trump has destroyed our Democracy. It’s time to Destroy Trump and Co.’ Early today that anger went from vile words to action.
Three members of Congress from Michigan Jack Bergman, John Moolenar and Mike Bishop were among those on the field when bullets started to hit all around them. “After the second shot was fired we knew it was real” Bergman said shortly after the attack.
Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the Majority Whip, was shot in the hip and underwent emergency surgery after being airlifted from the field. Two Capital police officers and two Congressional staff members were also shot.
This afternoon all four remain hospitalized. The suspect was shot and killed by one of the wounded police officers.