In the United States a top Republican member of Congress is in critical condition in hospital and four other people are recovering from their injuries after a mass shooting during a practice session for a Congressional baseball game.
Police are now investigating whether the gunman was driven by a political motivation to attack Republicans.
Our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks reports.
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There isn't much comity these days in Washington between Republicans and Democrats, but the annual baseball game between them is almost a throwback to an earlier era when lawmakers here would debate one another by day, and relax together as night.
The gun attack took place at dawn, as Democrats and Republicans were trying to beat the oppressive summer heat and practice ahead of this year's game.
And then baseball, that most American of past-times….…was violently interrupted by the crackle of gunfire.
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The shooting went on for several minutes….by the time Capitol Hill police had shot the gunman, who later died of his injuries, Congressman Steve Scalise, the Republican's Whip in the House of Represenatiteves, lay in the dirt suffering from a stomach wound.
Four others were struck by gunfire, including two police officers….all were taken to hospital for treatment.
Congressman Joe Barton, a Republican from Texas….still wearing his baseball uniform, described what had happened.
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At the White House, President Trump addressed the nation.
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It's now become apparent that the gunman may have been motivated by his loathing of President Trump…..James Hodgkinson left behind a trail of furious social media postings targeting the President.
There are reports that he singled Republicans out as he prepared to fire.
It was also revealed that during last year's election he campaigned for Senator Bernie Sanders, the populist socialist who gave Hillary Clinton a run for her money in the battle for the Demcoratic Party's nomination.
On the floor of the Senate, Bernie Sanders condemned the gunman's actions.
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Washington has been shaken by this shooting….which, like the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords in Arizona in 2011 has reminded the country's lawmakers that with public service comes considerable risk.
Both parties say their baseball game…due to take place here tonight….will still go ahead…imbued with new symbolism that transcends politics.
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