A top House Republican, Steve Scalise of Louisiana, was shot by a rifle-wielding gunman Wednesday at a congressional baseball practice just outside of Washington. Several other people were also believed to have been hit, according to a lawmaker who witnessed the shooting.
Capitol Police said officers who were part of Scalise’s security detail returned fire and wounded the shooter, who was taken into custody.
Scalise, the House majority whip, was in stable condition at George Washington University Hospital, according to one congressional aide. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. It was not known the condition of the others who were shot.
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, was taken from the field in a stretcher, Fox News reported. It was not clear if Williams had been hit by a bullet.
President Donald Trump said he was “deeply saddened by this tragedy” and was monitoring developments.
Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2017
The shooting occurred at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, where lawmakers and others were gathered for a morning practice.
“We were doing batting practice,” said Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. “All of a sudden we heard a very loud shot. The gunman was over by the third base dugout with a clear view of the field.” He said the gunman had “a rifle of some sort … a lot of ammo.” full story
Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC) told a reporter the shooter “was there to kill as many Republican members as possible.”
