There's only one person to blame for the awful congressional shooting

Don't blame Bernie Sanders for the awful shooting at Republicans' congressional baseball practice

A cleat is left behind at the scene of the shooting.
(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

On Wednesday morning, a lone gunman, identified as 66-year-old James Hodgkinson, attacked a Republican practice session for the upcoming congressional baseball game. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) was shot and badly wounded, as well as a staffer, a lobbyist, and two police officers, all of whom are reportedly recovering.

Hodgkinson was also shot, and reportedly died after being taken to a local hospital, so unfortunately he will not be able to speak directly to his motives. But it seems fairly clear that a political grievance was at work. His Facebook page contains many statements critical of conservatives, and in support of left-leaning figures, particularly Bernie Sanders, whom Hodgkinson reportedly campaigned for in Iowa. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) reported that Hodgkinson asked whether the practicing team was made up of Republicans or Democrats before opening fire.

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Ryan Cooper

Ryan Cooper is a national correspondent at TheWeek.com. His work has appeared in the Washington Monthly, The New Republic, and the Washington Post.