GOP shooter: "It's time to destroy Trump & Co."

James T. Hodgkinson, 66, wanted to shoot Republicans this morning. He went to the ball field where GOP congressmen were practicing baseball for tomorrow's charity game against the Democrats.

Soon after he confirmed that it was Republican congressmen on the field, he began shooting. Rep. Steve Scalise was shot in the hip and several others were also shot. 

It was only by the bravery of Scalise's armed security, the Capitol Police, that the gunman was stopped and eventually succumbed to his wounds.

It was soon discovered that Hodgkinson's Facebook page had a post on it declaring: " Trump is a Traitor. Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy. It's Time to Destroy Trump & Co."

The shooter's Facebook page also includes many photos of Sen. Bernie Sanders, a socialist who Hodgkinson strongly supported in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary, which brings to mind the question: then why didn't he go after the DNC and Hillary Clinton?

But that's neither here nor there, as they say, when they don't know what to say.

In late August, the shooter wrote: "I want Bernie to Win the White House" and "Bernie is a Progressive, while Hillary is Republican Lite."

When Sanders discovered that Hodgkinson worked for his campaign he said, "I am sickened by this despicable act . . . Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the shhtrongist possible terms."

Hodgkinson's Facebook page shows that he was a member of many leftist online groups: The Road To Hell Is Paved With Republicans; Rachel Maddow For President 2020; Sanders For President 2020; Terminate The Republican Party; and Donald Trump is not my President.

The guy was obviously a mental mess.

Thankfully the good guys had guns, this morning and stopped the bad guy with a gun.

Police reports show that Hodgkinson has been involved in gun-related incidents twice before involving law enforcement.

On March 24th, a Belleville man (which is where Hodgkinson resided) called police and reported that he heard about 50 gunshots near his home. The responding officers came across Hodgkinson "in the pine trees." He was carrying an Illinois Firearm Owners ID Card and was advised by police "not to discharge his weapon in the area" because there were homes nearby. He was not arrested and was carrying a hunting rifle.

In 2006, during a family dispute, he was alleged to point a shotgun at a man who told the coops that Hodgkinson hit him in the head with the stock of the shotgun. As the victim fled, Hodgkinson "shot one round" at the man "or in the air." 

He was arrested for domestic battery and aggravated discharge of a weapon. His neighbor describes him as "a short angry bastard."

He also had other arrests for drunk driving, resisting police, and criminal damage to property.

But one cannot blame Bernie Sanders for what this lunatic did--it's totally on him. If you blame the Democratic Party, Bernie Sanders or anyone else, you are doing exactly what the Democrats do when the shoe is on the other foot.

Hodgkinson is totally responsible for his own behavior. 

What happened today wasn't due to gun violence--it was due to political violence. Don't listen to the gun control cretins.

Let's pray for Steve Scalise and Matt Mika, both in critical condition.



Tweet