FBI Releases New Information on Scalise Shooting, Gunman

Yesterday, the FBI released information into the shooting of Majority Whip Steve Scalise. Here’s what they have found so far in their active investigation:

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The FBI is investigating this shooting as an assault on a member of Congress and an assault on a federal officer. So far, the FBI has not considered this an act of terrorism.

About the shooter

The shooter’s recent history was traced. In March, neighbors in Belleview, Illinois complained about target practice taking place on the gunman’s property. Shortly after that, Mohe had told a family member he would be traveling to Washington, D.C. in the near future but failed to provide any additional details.

The FBI searched three locations: his car, a storage unit he began renting in Alexandria in mid-April and his home in Illinois.

Between April and June, the gunman visited the storage unit 43 times, usually between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., although some days he visited the unit twice.

After looking at his computer, the FBI found recent Google searches for truck stops, maps, and toll-free routes in the Alexandria, Virginia area. He did not make any social media posts referencing the potential shooting.

Pictures and videos were taken between April 11th and April 26th of various national sites including:

  • Various monuments
  • The east front plaza of the U.S. Capitol
  • The visitor’s entrance of the Dirksen Senate Office Building
  • The front entrance of the Library of Congress
  • The west side of the Supreme Court
  • The front entrance of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • The Washington Monument
  • Eugene Simpson Stadium Park
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The FBI also discovered a list of six Congressional members names, although it was unclear what context the list served. A rough sketch of streets in Washington, D.C. was also found but it proved to have no significance to the shooting.

He was charged with domestic battery in 2016.

About the shooting

The FBI believes the gunman was in his car near the YMCA the morning of Wednesday, June 14th. He exited his vehicle with a 7.62mm caliber SKS rifle and a holstered 9mm handgun. The suspect then approached Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, where the Republicans were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game. The gunman opened fire on members of Congress, at which time two Capitol Hill Police Officers, who were serving as detail for Majority Whip Scalise, engaged the suspect. Alexandria Police responded to a 911 call of shots fired at 7:14 a.m. EST.

About the firearms

Both guns were legally purchased through FFLs. The SKS was purchased in March 2003 and the handgun was purchased in November 2016. Shell casings from both guns were found at the scene. According to the FBI, the SKS was modified to accept a detachable magazine and the original stock was replaced with a folding stock.

 

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