WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The attack by a lone gunman on Republican lawmakers at a baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia has suddenly elevated toxic partisanship in Washington, DC into a US national security threat, according to a report by the private intelligence firm Soufan Group on Thursday.
"If authorities determine the attacker intended to effect political policies or sentiments through his violence — a likely conclusion — it would be a clear case of domestic terrorism," the report stated.
The attack was a reflection of just how divisive the US political environment has become — which represents a "true national security concern," the report explained.
15 June 2017, 01:50 GMT
Congressman Steve Scalise, third ranking Republican in the US House of Representatives, remained in critical condition on Thursday following the shooting that wounded three others, including a Capitol Police officer.
Though the specific motive for the shooting is not yet clear, the gunman was vocally opposed to President Donald Trump and served as a volunteer in the presidential campaign of US Senator Bernie Sanders.
