‘Despicable Act’: Bernie Sanders Condemns Shooter Who Volunteered for his Campaign

JUST IN: Bernie Sanders says alleged gunman volunteered on his campaign, condemns action in strongest possible terms https://t.co/oPSs184okg pic.twitter.com/1l5dlXrc79

— CNN (@CNN) June 14, 2017

As details emerge on the shooter who opened fire on Republican lawmakers practicing for the Congressional baseball game in Virginia Wednesday morning, it appears he may have volunteered for Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.

It is suspected that the shooting was politically motivated, as the shooter, identified as 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson, targeted Republican congressman and wounded House majority whip Steve Scalise — as well as two Capitol Police officers and a congressional aide.

Hodgkinson died after he was shot by officers in a gunfight, according to a statement by President Donald Trump.

Social media accounts believed to belong to Hodgkinson reveal that he was a fervent Bernie Sanders supporter and even volunteered for his campaign.

Sanders, a Senator from Vermont, said in a statement on the Senate floor that he was informed Hodgkinson volunteered for his campaign, adding he is “sickened by this despicable act.”

“Let me be as clear as I can be,” Sanders said. “Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.”

Sanders added that his prayers are with Scalise and the others injured, and thanked the Capitol Police for their “heroic actions.”

Watch above, via CNN.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Aidan McLaughlin (@aidnmclaughlin) on Twitter

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