Top House Republicans are challenging the FBI’s conclusion that the 2017 congressional baseball practice shooter was motivated by “suicide by cop.”
NBC News reports that representatives from the Intelligence and Judiciary committees claim this assessment was made prematurely and doesn’t align with the evidence.
Reps. Rick Crawford (Arkansas), Jim Jordan (Ohio), and Ronny Jackson (Texas) are preparing a report that disputes the FBI’s findings. An Intelligence Committee aide told NBC News that the report will argue the case file clearly shows “a premeditated assassination attempt on Republican congressmen by a radical, left-wing political extremist.”
The shooting, which happened during a practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, injured three people, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). Police killed the gunman at the scene.
These Republican lawmakers believe the FBI jumped to its “suicide by cop” conclusion before thoroughly examining all the available evidence. They argue that the shooter’s actions point to a deliberate attempt to target Republican lawmakers and disrupt government operations.
The representatives’ report aims to shed light on what they see as inconsistencies between the FBI’s assessment and the facts of the case, potentially reopening discussions about the motives behind this violent incident.
