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A U.S. congressman shot early Wednesday during practice for a charity baseball game was in critical condition following surgery, with the hospital treating him saying in a statement Wednesday night "he will require additional operations." Rep. Steve Scalise, who represents the southern state of Louisiana and serves as the House majority whip, was wounded when an attacker armed with a rifle and a handgun fired on Republican lawmakers who were preparing for Thursday's annual game against a team of Democrats. The gunman, 66-year-old James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, was wounded by Capitol Police and later died. Besides Scalise, the shooter also wounded Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner, a congressional aide and a lobbyist. The attack happened at a park in Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington where Thursday's game will be held. White House spokesman Sean Spicer told a reporter late Wednesday that President Donald Trump would like to attend the game and show his support, but that there was not enough time to put in place necessary Secret Service security protocols. Trump visited MedStar Washington Hospital Center along with his wife, Melania, Wednesday night to see Scalise and his family, and to meet with Griner and her wife. The president later wrote on Twitter that Scalise is in "very tough shape" but is "a real fighter." Trump said earlier in remarks at the White House that the shootings are a reminder for all citizens to overcome the political polarization that has gripped Washington and the rest of the nation. | 
