FBI: Weapons in lawmaker shooting purchased legally

The man who opened fire on a baseball practice for Republican lawmakers on Wednesday appears to have purchased his guns legally, the FBI said Thursday.

The shooter, who was identified as 66-year-old James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill., was shot by law enforcement officials during the attack and later died of his wounds.

Two weapons — a 9 mm handgun and a 7.62 caliber rifle — were recovered from the scene and traced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

{mosads}”ATF has conducted traces on these weapons and has determined that both were purchased by the shooter from federal firearms licensees,” the FBI said in a statement. “We currently have no evidence to suggest that the purchases were not lawful.”

Five others were injured during Hodgkinson’s Wednesday morning rampage at a park in Alexandria, Va. Among the wounded were House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), congressional staffer Zach Barth, lobbyist Matt Mika and Capitol Police officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey.

Scalise was rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital Center immediately after the attack, where has has since undergone three surgeries and remains in critical condition. Mika also remains in critical condition. 

The FBI said Thursday that it had also processed Hodgkinson’s vehicle, a white conversion van, where investigators found a cell phone, a computer and camera. Law enforcement officials are currently processing those devices, the FBI said. 

In a news conference on Wednesday, FBI special agent in charge Tim Slater said that Hodgkinson is believed to have been living in his vehicle in Alexandria since March. The FBI is urging local residents to come forward about any interactions with the shooter.