US SHOOTER’S HITLIST

THE madman who gunned down US congressman Steve Scalise planned to assassinate six other top politicians, the FBI revealed yesterday.

Agents found left-wing fanatic James Hodgkinson’s handwritten hitlist after he was shot dead following last week’s rampage. He had marked for execution the Republican lawmakers Congressmen Jeff Duncan, Jim Jordan, Mo Brooks, Morgan Griffith, Trent Franks and Scott DesJarlais.

All six are leading members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus and are regarded as party hardliners. The FBI said there was “cogent evidence” to suggest that Hodgkinson, 66, intended to stalk and kill as many as possible. The disgruntled activist, who volunteered to help Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders’ campaign in last year’s presidential election, was shot dead by police after opening fire on dozens of congressmen and their staff. They were holding a practice session ahead of a charity baseball match at a stadium in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington DC. House Majority Whip Mr Scalise, pictured, was shot in the hip. He was still “critical” in intensive care last night. Hospital spokesman Dr Jack Sava revealed he has “hundreds of bullet fragments” in his body and may need further surgery. Four others were wounded in the attack, which sparked debate over America’s increasingly violent political divide.