The wife of the man suspected of opening fire Wednesday on Republicans practicing for a congressional baseball game, shooting and wounding four, emotionally told reporters today, "I can’t believe he did this," saying there were no signs.
The alleged shooter, identified by police as James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Illinois, was killed in a shootout with police Wednesday morning after shooting Rep. Steve Scalise and three others at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia. Scalise is in critical condition.
Sue Hodgkinson said she was married to James Hodgkinson for nearly 30 years but they have not been together since March, when he moved to Washington, D.C.
Scalise in critical condition after gunman opened fire at congressional baseball practice History of the 108-year-old Congressional Baseball Game linked to Va. shooting Politicians, public figures react to Virginia shooting that injured Rep. Steve Scalise Who is Steve Scalise, conservative congressman injured in Virginia shooting Gabby Giffords on Virginia shooting: It was 'an attack on all who serve'She said her husband wanted to go to Washington to work with people to change the tax brackets. She said she didn't know he had a gun with him. She did not want to discuss her husband's politics.
Sue Hodgkinson said she felt "horrible," saying, "I had no idea this was going to happen and I don't know what to say about it. I can't wrap my head around it.
"I'm sorry that he did this," she added. "There's nothing I could do about it."
She said when he prepared to leave Illinois, "He sold almost everything he owned from his businesses."
She said shortly before James Hodgkinson left, her "daughter just moved back home and has a 2-year-old. ... He was home all day long, I think he just wanted a break."