Man who shot at GOP baseball practice had a history of domestic violence

James Hodgkinson, the left-wing Bernie Sanders supporter who shot at Congressional Republicans during their early-morning baseball practice on Wednesday, had a troubled history of domestic violence.

The Daily Beast reports that Hodgkinson in 2006 was arrested on a battery charge after police say he punched a woman in the face with a closed fist, while later threatening the woman's boyfriend with a shotgun.

Police said Hodgkinson had also been "observed throwing" his own daughter "around the bedroom" in his house. He also “started hitting her arms, pulling her hair, and started grabbing her off the bed" when she tried to get away.

His daughter eventually ran outside and into the car of a woman who had driven to the house to help her escape -- and he allegedly responded by opening up her car door, pulling out a knife and cutting her seatbelt.

All charges against him were dismissed, however.

Despite this violent history, the Daily Beast notes that Hodgkinson's record "did not rise to the level to prohibit him from legally owning a firearm."