BREAKING: Republican Congressman and Four Others Shot During Morning Baseball Practice
Reports have emerged of a mass shooting that occurred at the Republican congressional baseball team’s early morning practice on Wednesday.
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) told talk show host Matt Murphy that Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and at least four other people were hit by gunfire on Wednesday morning while practicing at a field in the Del Rey neighborhood in Alexandria, Virginia.
Scalise was shot in the hip and is in stable condition.
In addition to Scalise, CNN confirms that two Capitol Hill police officers were also shot. Alexandria police say that they have apprehended the suspect and that he is no longer a threat.
UPDATE: Suspect is in custody and not a threat. PIO will be onscene shortly to share updates.— Alexandria Police (@Alexandria Police) 1497443034
Brooks appeared on CNN to describe how he was on deck waiting to bat during the practice when he heard gun shots. He described how the shooter was subdued, but only after he shot at least five people. Brooks and his colleagues then rushed into the outfield to assist Scalise, who had left a “trail of blood” while he dragged himself from second base to the outfield.
Brooks said he got a look at the gunman and described him as a white male who was “a bit on the chubby side.”
BREAKING: House Majority Whip Steve Scalise appears to have been shot in Alexandria, VA, GOP Rep. Mo Brooks says https://t.co/IVQc8RHXL8— CNN (@CNN) 1497441992
Sen. Rand Paul, who was also at the practice, told MSNBC that he heard between 50 to 60 shots fired by the gunman. He said he believed the shooter was using an AR-15-style rifle.
“Everybody would’ve died except for the fact that Capitol Hill police were there,” Paul said.
Watch live video coverage of the shooting below.
