A shooter opened fire at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday morning, wounding House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, two Capitol Police officers, a congressional staffer, and a lobbyist for Tyson Foods, who were all hospitalized. Scalise, originally reported in stable condition, is now described as in critical condition. The lobbyist, Matt Mika, is in critical condition, according to a family statement. The staffer, Zachary Barth, an aide in the office of Rep. Roger Williams, is reportedly doing well. The Capitol Police officers, David Bailey and Crystal Griner, are reportedly in stable condition.
Police have identified the shooter as James T. Hodgkinson III, a 66-year-old Illinois man who had posted several anti-Republican, anti-Trump, and anti–Hillary Clinton remarks on Facebook. President Trump announced from the White House that Hodgkinson had died from wounds received during his shootout with police.
CBS reports that the shooting happened near a dugout and that Scalise dragged himself from second base into the outfield to get away from the shooter. Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks says he used his belt as a tourniquet on Barth, the congressional staffer, who’d been shot in the calf. Brooks also reports that Scalise, who was shot in the hip, never lost consciousness in his presence. The Hill newspaper posted an audio recording of the gunshots, which continued steadily for more than two minutes amid yelling and police sirens.
Update, June 14, at 9:02 a.m.: Congressman Kihuen has tweeted a photo of House Democrats praying for victims of the shooting:
Update, June 14, at 9:08 a.m.: Sen. Rand Paul has given a detailed description of the incident to Fox & Friends:
Update, June 14, at 9:22 a.m.: Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:
Update, June 14, at 9:59 a.m.: The Capitol Police officers who were injured are going to pull through according to NBC News.
This story is still developing and we’ll update as we learn more.
