Editors

USA TODAY

An Illinois man opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball team practice Wednesday, and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was among the wounded. Here's what we know:

Who was shot?

Alexandria Chief Michael Brown said five people received medical transport from the scene:

House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot in the left hip and is out of surgery in critical condition. MedStar Washington Hospital Center said the bullet fractured bones and injured internal organs, and Scalise will need additional surgery.

Two Capitol Hill police agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey were wounded but are in good condition.

Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, said staffer Zach Barth was among the wounded and was in stable condition.

A lobbyist for Tyson foods Matt Mika was shot several times and is in critical condition.

Who was the shooter?

The suspect was identified as James T. Hodgkinson, 66, a home inspector from Belleville, Ill., AP reported. President Trump said Hodgkinson died of wounds sustained during the incident.

Sen. Bernie Sanders issued a statement saying the suspect apparently had been a volunteer on his presidential campaign. Sanders said he was "sickened by this despicable act."

Were Republicans targeted?

Tim Slater, an FBI special agent in charge of the investigation, said it's too early to say if the shooter was targeting Republicans.

Two Congressman South Carolina Rep. Jeff Duncan and Rep. Ron DeSantis of Florida said they were approached by a man they believe to be the shooter asking about who was playing, Republicans or Democrats.

On the scene:

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., estimated there were 50 to 60 people at the practice, including House members, senators and their staff. “Many have been shot, but a lot like me got bloody running for cover,” he said.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., told CNN it was at least ten minutes until shooter was down.

“I was the first out to Steve, and then Brad (Wenstrup) another member from Ohio” who is a doctor also came to help Scalise. “We applied pressure on the wound. He was coherent the whole time… He laid out there for at least 10 minutes alone in the field, and we couldn’t get to him” because of the shots.

Why baseball practice?

Republican lawmakers were practicing for the annual congressional baseball game, which is scheduled to take place Thursday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The charity game, which allows the Democrats and Republicans to play against each other, has been a yearly tradition in Washington since 1909.

Where did the shooting happen?

The neighborhood where the shooting took place is a residential area of Alexandria densely populated by bungalows and families.

It is a stone’s throw from a trendy strip of restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops in the Del Ray section of the city. The field is also near Route 1, a major artery that leads into Washington.

White House response:

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited Scalise in the hospital Wednesday night. The president took to Twitter and called the congressman "one of the truly great people."

Earlier in the day, Trump called for political unity in the wake of bloodshed. "We may have our differences, but we do well in times like these to remember that everyone who serves in our nation's capital is here, because. above all, they love our country," he said during remarks in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House.

Melania Trump also tweeted thanking the first responders.

Has anything like this happened before?

Most recently, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was shot at a 2011 constituent meeting in Tucson, Ariz.

Giffords, who survived a gunshot would to the head, tweeted, "My heart is with my former colleagues, their families & staff and the US Capitol Police public servants and heroes today and every day."

More coverage:

Ryan calls shooting 'an attack on all of us'

'I was doing what I could to not get killed:' Scene at GOP baseball shooting

'Like I was back in Iraq,' Cincinnati congressman says after colleague shot

Live stream: Congressman, others shot at baseball practice in Va.

Gabby Giffords on baseball practice shooting: 'My heart is with my former colleagues'