House Wajority Whip Steve Scalise and at least two other people have been shot this morning during a GOP baseball practice at a ball park in Alexandria, Virginia. Two senior-level GOP aides and a Capitol Police officer were also shot.
According to Police tweets, the shooter is “in custody” and “not a threat.”
UPDATE: Suspect is in custody and not a threat. PIO will be onscene shortly to share updates.
— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) June 14, 2017
The GOP baseball game is meant to raise money for charity.
Congressman Mo Brooks from Alabama witnessed the entire event as a rifle wielding gunman opened fire on the ball field. He spoke with reporters about what he saw in the video below.
“I see a rifle, and I see a little bit of a body and then I hear another bam and I realize there’s still an active shooter. At the same time I hear Steve Scalise over at 2nd base scream — he was shot,” he said.
Congressman Scalise was shot in the hip and seen dragging himself toward the dugouts as security engaged the shooter with pistols. “It’s never easy to take when you see people around you getting shot and you don’t have a weapon yourself,” said Brooks. “So you’re not in a position where you can help defend, so you’re pretty helpless.”
Brooks said it felt like a long time before the security detail returned fire, but it may have just been seconds. “Pistols versus rifles, it’s not a fair fight,” said Brooks as he praised the security detail for their bravery.
President Trump has issued the following statement, “The vice president and I are aware of the shooting incident in Virginia and are monitoring developments closely. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders, and all others affected.”
The identity of the shooter and the medical status of the victims is unknown at this time.