World

“Multiple shootings” at congressional baseball practice in US—GOP whip among victims

Steve Scalise is reportedly in a stable condition

June 14, 2017
Photo: Ron Sachs/DPA/PA Images
Photo: Ron Sachs/DPA/PA Images

A gunman opened fire at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, a city in Virginia, around 7:30am EDT today.

Alexandria police have confirmed that a shooting at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park occurred, and that one person is in custody. The weapon is believed to have been a rifle.

Mo Brooks, Representative for Alabama's 5th congressional district, tweeted that a “shooter attacked a GOP baseball practice. Rifle. 50+ shots fired. 5 hit including Steve Scalise. I am not shot.” In his estimate, 50 to 100 shots were fired. He has since tweeted that he is praying for those injured.

https://twitter.com/RepMoBrooks/status/874981032759578624

Among the victims were House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who is in a stable condition at George Washington University Hospital. According to Brooks, Scalise was shot in the hip. He told CNN that the shooter was taken down by a member of Scalise's security detail.

Shortly before the attack the shooter asked whether the politicians on the pitch were Republicans or Democrats, MSNBC is reporting. They were all Republicans: members of both parties are training for a Republican v Democrat game, scheduled for Thursday, but the Democrats practice separately.

Scalise, 51, has represented Louisiana’s First Congressional District since 2008.

US President Donald Trump has issued a statement saying that he and his Vice President Mike Pence are "deeply saddened" by the tragedy, and has also taken to twitter in the wake of the tragedy.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/874971795362897921