Judge Dread
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A gunman opened fire on a Republican congressional baseball team practicing on a suburban Virginia field Wednesday, wounding Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., and at least four others
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Alexandria, Va., police said five people were transported to the hospital and a suspect was in custody. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, said a member of his staff was among the wounded, and his spokesman said the staffer was in stable condition.
Capitol Police officers, at the practice when the shooting began, quickly returned fire, spokesman Matthew Verderosa said. Alexandria Chief Michael Brown said his officers arrived three minutes after the first emergency call came in at 7:09 a.m. ET, and two of them joined the gunfight.
Scalise, the majority "whip" in the House, was in stable condition after being shot in the hip and was undergoing surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, his office said in a statement.
"Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone," the statement said. "He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues."
President Trump tweeted: "Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him."
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., said the baseball practice session was almost over when the shooting began on the field. “I heard a bang, and I thought it sounded like a gun. I never saw a shooter," he said. "I heard him. I was close to the damn thing. Some of our people have been hit. This is horrible. I got bloody running and jumping into the dugout.”
Fleischmann estimated there were 50 to 60 people at the practice, including House members, senators and their staffs. “Many have been shot, but a lot like me got bloody running for cover,” he said. “It is just a madhouse here,” Fleischmann said. “It’s horrible. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who was at the scene, said several people were shot but Scalise was the only House member wounded. "We heard a very loud shot during batting practice," Flake said.
Then many more shots, and Capitol Police returned fire.
Scalise spokesman Chris Bond said he would be checking with the hospital throughout the day for updates on the condition of the congressman and the other wounded people.
“Right now everyone is focused on praying," Bond said. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., told CNN, people scattered when the shooting began.
Scalise was standing in the in the infield and fell where he stood. "He was not able to move under his own power. He was dragging his body from second base," Brooks said. "There was not a whole lot we could do. He was shot in the hip. I think it was not a life-threatening wound."
"It's not easy when you see people around you being shot and you don't have a weapon yourself," Brooks said. "You feel helpless."
White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Trump and Vice President Pence were aware of the incident. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected," he said.
The shooting took place at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, in the Del Ray section of Alexandria about seven miles from the Capitol. It's a quiet community made up of restaurants, small businesses, lots of families.
It's considered a "safe" neighborhood where people walk around outside until late at night. The field serves as a community hub, with games and activities at all hours.
The team of Republican congressman and staff members were practicing for a charity baseball game scheduled for later this week against a Democratic team.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said his team was practicing when they heard about the attack on the Republicans.
"We're safe & with police, everyone praying for GOP colleagues, staff & Cap police," Huffman tweeted.
Contributing: Michael Collins, Deborah Berry, Susan Miller, Eliza Collins
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Alexandria, Va., police said five people were transported to the hospital and a suspect was in custody. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, said a member of his staff was among the wounded, and his spokesman said the staffer was in stable condition.
Capitol Police officers, at the practice when the shooting began, quickly returned fire, spokesman Matthew Verderosa said. Alexandria Chief Michael Brown said his officers arrived three minutes after the first emergency call came in at 7:09 a.m. ET, and two of them joined the gunfight.
Scalise, the majority "whip" in the House, was in stable condition after being shot in the hip and was undergoing surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, his office said in a statement.
"Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone," the statement said. "He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues."
President Trump tweeted: "Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him."
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., said the baseball practice session was almost over when the shooting began on the field. “I heard a bang, and I thought it sounded like a gun. I never saw a shooter," he said. "I heard him. I was close to the damn thing. Some of our people have been hit. This is horrible. I got bloody running and jumping into the dugout.”
Fleischmann estimated there were 50 to 60 people at the practice, including House members, senators and their staffs. “Many have been shot, but a lot like me got bloody running for cover,” he said. “It is just a madhouse here,” Fleischmann said. “It’s horrible. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who was at the scene, said several people were shot but Scalise was the only House member wounded. "We heard a very loud shot during batting practice," Flake said.
Then many more shots, and Capitol Police returned fire.
Scalise spokesman Chris Bond said he would be checking with the hospital throughout the day for updates on the condition of the congressman and the other wounded people.
“Right now everyone is focused on praying," Bond said. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., told CNN, people scattered when the shooting began.
Scalise was standing in the in the infield and fell where he stood. "He was not able to move under his own power. He was dragging his body from second base," Brooks said. "There was not a whole lot we could do. He was shot in the hip. I think it was not a life-threatening wound."
"It's not easy when you see people around you being shot and you don't have a weapon yourself," Brooks said. "You feel helpless."
White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Trump and Vice President Pence were aware of the incident. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected," he said.
The shooting took place at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, in the Del Ray section of Alexandria about seven miles from the Capitol. It's a quiet community made up of restaurants, small businesses, lots of families.
It's considered a "safe" neighborhood where people walk around outside until late at night. The field serves as a community hub, with games and activities at all hours.
The team of Republican congressman and staff members were practicing for a charity baseball game scheduled for later this week against a Democratic team.
Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said his team was practicing when they heard about the attack on the Republicans.
"We're safe & with police, everyone praying for GOP colleagues, staff & Cap police," Huffman tweeted.
Contributing: Michael Collins, Deborah Berry, Susan Miller, Eliza Collins
