A gunman opened fire during an early morning baseball practice for Republican members of Congress on Wednesday, reportedly firing dozens of shots at a field in Alexandria, Va. The President who visited Scalise at the hospital with the first lady said the Republican was in “tough shape” and a “great fighter”.
Scalise was in critical condition after surgery, according to So Young Pak, spokeswoman for MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Scalise was one of five victims of the shooter, who was killed by police.
Senator Bernie Sanders confirmed media reports that 66-year-old IL man James T Hodgkinson was the assailant and had apparently volunteered on his presidential campaign last year.
A shooting in Alexandria leaves a Congressman in critical condition and several others hurt. The House and Senate got back to normal business on Thursday. He was on the field to practice for a charity game between Republican and Democratic lawmakers scheduled Thursday.
Lipinski said the police officers and shooter exchanged gunfire across the baseball field as congressmen scattered.
Republicans and Democrats in Congress responded in unifying condemnation of the attack and the attacker himself.
The shooting has raised questions about lawmakers’ security, renewed the nation’s contentious debate over guns and drawn fresh attention to the harsh rhetoric that reflects America’s political polarization.
The business of the House is resuming a day after a rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers practicing for a charity baseball game.
Steve Scalise (R-LA) as he speaks to the media in Washington, DC. The gunman, James T. Hodgkinson, died in an ensuing shootout with police.
“An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us”, Mr Ryan said, to prolonged applause.
“My thoughts and prayers remain with Majority Whip Scalise and all those injured during today’s horrific shooting”, he said in a statement.
They also met the doctors treating Scalise, including Ira Rabin, vice-president for medical operations of the hospital and talked to Scalise’s wife Jennifer, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters. “We saw two people risk their lives to save the lives of others”, the Texas congressman said.
The House speaker’s office identified the injured Capitol Police officers as Special Agents David Bailey, who was treated and released from a hospital, and Crystal Griner, who was struck in the ankle and hospitalized in good condition.