Donald Trump and first lady Melania paid a visit to Steve Scalise who is currently admitted at MedStar Washington Hospital after an anti-Republican attacker opened fire at Eugene Simpson Field in Alexandria on Wednesday morning. The Louisiana Congressman and other Republican members were in Virginia to practice for a charity match against the Democratic party's baseball team on Thursday.

But before they could finish the session, an armed man reportedly fired at the GOP players on the field. Mo Brooks said the attacker was firing "non-stop." A source claimed that the suspect was aiming to target the legislators at the practice.

Unfortunately, the attacker got Scalise and shot him in the hip, leaving him in critical condition.

What's the motive behind the attack?

Police identified 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson as the Alexandria attacker. The suspect engaged in a shootout with the authorities before he died. According to reports, the gunman was originally from Illinois before he relocated to Virginia two months ago.

His social media account showed that he was a supporter of the Democratic party, who campaigned for Sen. Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Presidential Elections. In fact, Hodgkinson had been criticizing the current U.S. President in his Facebook posts.

Aside from that, the shooter reportedly had a history of criminal offenses, including traffic violations and allegations of assault.

Sanders, on the other hand, condemned the "despicable act" and said that violence is never the answer to achieve real change in America.

"A fighter and a patriot"

Speaking from the White House on Wednesday, President Trump commended the efforts of the Capitol Hill police for stopping the suspect from causing more injuries. Trump said "many lives would've been lost" if not for their "heroic actions" and quick response.

He specifically lauded Scalise for being "a fighter and a patriot" after the shooting in Alexandria. After delivering his official statement on the recent tragedy, the U.S. President went straight to the hospital to check on the Louisiana Congressman, who is reportedly in "critical condition."

Trump said he has spoken with Scalise's wife, Jennifer, and promised to help her in "anything that she needs." White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that the President sat by his friend's bedside in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and described the visit as "emotional."
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