Rep. Steve Scalise in December 2016 (Getty Images)

Rep. Steve Scalise in December 2016 (Getty Images)

Update: “Rep. Scalise was critically injured and remains in critical condition” as of 3:30 p.m., according to MedStar Washington.

Matt Mika, a lobbyist for Tyson Foods, was reportedly shot several times, and is in critical condition.

Zack Barth, a legislative staffer for Rep. Roger Williams, remains in the hospital but is expected to make a full recovery.

One Capitol Police officer was shot in the ankle and remains in the hospital. Another suffered a minor injury and has been released.

“I want to commend Special Agents Crystal Griner, David Bailey, and Henry Cabrera for their heroic and appropriate response in protecting the Members and others today during their practice for the Congressional baseball game,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Matthew R. Verderosa said in a statement. “The United States Capitol Police is dedicated to its mission to protect the U.S. Capitol, Members of Congress, staff and the visiting public, and today we saw how our officers’ extensive training and quick response saved lives.”

Original:

Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Majority Whip, was among the five people transported from the scene of a shooting this morning at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia. A suspect is in custody and there is “no additional threat”, according to Alexandria Police.

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Alabama) told CNN that he was on deck for batting practice, “I hear a loud bam and behind the third base, I see a rifle…. I hear Steve Scalise over near second base scream.”

Brooks, who explained they were gathered at the Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, seven miles from D.C., to practice for their bipartisan Congressional baseball game on Thursday night, described the gun as a semi-automatic that continued to fire. CBS reports that it was a M-4 assault rifle.

Brooks and Rep. Rand Paul said that Scalise dragged himself into the outfield. Paul said he heard 50-60 shots; Brooks also described hearing more than 50 shots, as did another witness:

It’s unclear who else was shot, but so far there are no reports of fatalities. Brooks said that his belt was used as a tourniquet for a staffer’s leg.

Victims were Medevaced from the field. Sen. Jeff Flake tells ABC a female Capitol Police officer was wounded, and that it took 10 minutes until shooter was neutralized. Sen. Claire McCaskill said that she had spoken to Capitol Police and they indicated that the injured officers would survive.

The shooter is in custody, according to Alexandria police:

Paul said that Congressional security was there because of the House Majority Whip’s presence. House Democrats were practicing at Gallaudet University this morning.

CNN reports, citing unnamed sources, that the shooter asked Rep. Jeff Duncan: “Are those Republicans or Democrats out there practicing?”

A statement from President Trump was just released: “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.”

A lock-in at Alexandria schools has been lifted.

Scalise went into surgery and released a statement, “Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone. He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleague.”

Texas Representative Roger Williams said a member of his staff, “Zack Barth, who is a legislative correspondent in my office, was shot this morning at baseball practice” and is expected to make a full recovery.

The Washington Post identified the shooter as James T Hodgkinson, a resident of Belleville, Illinois.

This post has been updated.

Filed Under: alexandria, mo brooks, steve scalise,