Scalise in critical condition after gunman opened fire at congressional baseball practice in Virginia

June 14, 2017

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Alexandria, VA (ABC News)- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, the House majority whip, is in critical condition, hospital officials said this afternoon, after he and four others were shot by a gunman who opened fire on members of Congress practicing for a charity baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia, this morning.

Scalise, a lobbyist, a congressional staffer and two Capitol Police officers were injured. The suspect died from his injuries sustained in the shooting, President Donald Trump said in his remarks this morning.

Scalise’s office said he was shot in the hip and underwent surgery.

“Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone,” his office said in a statement. “He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues. We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.”

Multiple law enforcement sources identified the suspected shooter as 66-year-old James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois. His wife told ABC News he has been living in Alexandria, Virginia, for the past two months, but had not been working and was expected to return to Illinois in the coming days.

The shooting took place around 7 a.m. in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, about seven miles away from the White House in Washington, D.C., where a number of lawmakers were practicing for the annual charity congressional baseball game set for Thursday. Only Republicans were at this practice; Democrats practiced earlier in the morning.

Zack Barth, a legislative correspondent working for Texas Rep. Roger Williams, was among those shot, according to a statement from Williams. Barth is receiving medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery, Williams said.

Williams’ office said the Republican baseball team holds practice every morning at 6:30 a.m. ET at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park and that Williams is the team’s coach.

Matt Mika, who works as a lobbyist for Tyson Foods, was also injured. A Tyson Foods spokesperson said in a statement that Mika, director of government relations for its Washington, D.C., office, was hospitalized, adding, “We’re awaiting word on his condition. Matt has worked for Tyson Foods for more than six years and we’re deeply concerned about him and his family.”

Mika previously worked for Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Michigan, and remains “a close friend” of his, according to a statement from Walberg.

“As a former baseball player, he was volunteering at this morning’s practice to help the congressional team get ready for the game,” Walberg said in a statement. “This is deeply personal and Sue and I are praying for Matt as he receives medical attention.”

The two Capitol Police officers who were injured have been identified as David Bailey and Krystal Griner, according to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

“I spoke with special agent Bailey and special agent Greiner this morning. One was being treated and one was about to go into surgery,” Ryan said. “It is clear to me based on various eyewitness accounts that without these two heroes, Agent Bailey and Agent Griner, many lives would have been lost.”

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, told CNN, “I was on deck about to hit batting practice on the third base side and I hear, ‘Bam.’ And I look around and behind third base … I see a rifle. and I see a little bit of a body.

“At the same time I hear Steve Scalise over near second base scream,” Brooks added. “He was shot.”

Brooks said he took off his belt and he and another congressman applied a tourniquet to try to slow the bleeding.

Brooks said a security detail returned fire at the active shooter. Brooks estimated that 50 to 100 shots were fired.

At least 21 members of Congress were at this morning’s baseball practice, including Scalise and two U.S. senators. Staffers and family members were also there; Rep. Joe Barton, R-Tex., said his two sons were in attendance, including his 11-year-old son. All members of the GOP baseball team have been accounted for.

Barton said in a statement, “The suspect was shooting at members and staff on the field. Officers of the Capitol Police returned fire and ran toward the shooter, risking their lives while saving others. The incident lasted for approximately 10 minutes.”

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, told ABC News he was in the batting cage when he heard an isolated gunshot.

Then “a burst of gunfire” erupted, Paul said. “At that point, people were dropping. Scalise was shot around second base and he crawled a little bit into the outfield,” he explained.

Paul said Scalise’s security detail exchanged fire with the active shooter.

“These guys were real heroes and I think without them everybody probably would have been killed,” Paul said. “Steve Scalise is in leadership and that’s the only reason there was security detail there at all. I’m sad that he was shot but he actually saved everybody’s life by being there.”‘

Davis said his message to the shooter is, “We are the greatest country in the history of the world. We have freedoms that many on this globe wish they would have, and you took those freedoms and tried to take lives. And you didn’t succeed, and there is a warm place in hell for you, too.”

Some other lawmakers in attendance were: Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona; Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida; and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tennessee.

At a news conference this morning, Alexandria Police Chief Mike Brown assured residents that the community is safe.

The FBI is leading the investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is conducting traces on one rifle and one handgun taken from the scene.

1 p.m.
The suspected shooter in today’s incident in Virginia is 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

President Donald Trump announced this morning during remarks about the shooting that the suspect is now dead.

“The assailant has now died from his injuries,” Trump said, not using Hodgkinson’s name.

Hodgkinson’s wife told ABC News that her husband had been living in Alexandria, Virginia, for the past two months. Hodgkinson left his job as a “home inspector, mold/air quality tester,” according to his Facebook page.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., just spoke on the Senate floor, confirming reports that Hodgkinson supported him during the election.

“I have just been informed that the alleged shooter at the Republican baseball practice is someone who apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign. I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms,” Sanders said.

Hodgkinson has an extensive history of traffic violations and petty offenses in St. Clair County, Illinois, spanning from 1989 to 2011, according to online county court records. The vast majority of the cases are traffic violations and nearly all of them were later dismissed. The most recent conviction on his record was for a “petty offense” of failure to obtain an electrical contractor’s license in 2009.

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St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois has been contacted for information about Hodgkinson by authorities investigating the shooting in Alexandria, an official with the sheriff’s office told ABC News. Calls to the Belleville Police Department were not immediately returned.

Around 7 a.m. ET at least four people, including Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., were injured when a shooter opened fire at a baseball field in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. Republican lawmakers were practicing for Thursday’s annual charity congressional baseball game.

A law enforcement source told ABC News that the suspect was injured and transported to George Washington University Hospital. Authorities later confirmed at a press conference that the suspect is in custody.

Police said the suspect’s motive is unknown at this point. Police described the scene as “stable.”

Authorities confirmed that Capitol Police officers were on scene when the shooting happened and exchanged gunfire with the shooter. Victims have been transported to local hospitals, police said.

The FBI has taken control of the crime scene, which is located some 7 miles away from the White House in Washington, D.C.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is currently conducting urgent traces on two firearms — a rifle and a handgun — from the scene.

Scalise is undergoing surgery and his injury is not life-threatening, his office said in a statement.

“Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone,” the statement said. “He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues. We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.”

Two other individuals who were injured have been identified as Zach Barth, a legislative correspondent in the office of Rep. Roger Williams, R-Tex., and Matt Mika, the director of government relations at Tyson Foods.

11:30 a.m.

The suspected shooter in today’s incident in Virginia is 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, according to multiple law enforcement sources.

According to Hodgkinson’s wife, who spoke to ABC News, Hodgkinson has been living in Alexandria, Virginia, for the past two months.

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Police said the suspect’s motive is unknown at this point. Police described the scene as “stable.”

Authorities confirmed that Capitol Police officers were on scene when the shooting happened and exchanged gunfire with the shooter. Victims have been transported to local hospitals, police said.

The FBI has taken control of the crime scene, which is located some 7 miles away from the White House in Washington, D.C.

Scalise is undergoing surgery and his injury is not life-threatening, his office said in a statement.

Update 10:50 a.m.

The FBI is investigating after a gunman opened fire on members of Congress practicing for a charity baseball game this morning at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, injuring Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, and others.

Five people were injured in the shooting, including Scalise, the House majority whip, as well as the suspect.

Scalise’s office said Scalise was shot in the hip and is undergoing surgery. He is listed in stable condition, his office said.

“Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone,” his office said. “He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues. We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.”

Police said the suspect fired at officers, who returned fire. Four victims and the shooter were then transported to local hospitals. Police did not release the suspect’s identity. A law enforcement source said the suspect was taken to George Washington University Hospital and there was no information on a motive. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has 24 personnel on the scene; the ATF is conducting urgent traces on one rifle and one handgun.

Zack Barth, a legislative correspondent working for Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, was among those shot, according to a statement from Williams. Barth is receiving medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery, Williams said.

Williams’ office said the Republican baseball team holds practice every morning at 6:30 a.m. ET at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park and that Williams is the team’s coach.

Witness Ben Childers told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” he was in his apartment when he heard gunshots and he said he saw congressional members running off a baseball field.

“There were three members that were kind of headed over toward our apartment, so we ran down and got them into our apartment so they could shelter in place. They also said that Steve Scalise had been shot and was on the ground on the baseball field,” Childers said.

“At the same time I hear Steve Scalise over near second base scream,” Brooks added. “He was shot.”

Brooks said he took off his belt and he and another congressman applied a tourniquet to try to slow down the bleeding.

Brooks said a security detail shot back at the active shooter. Brooks estimated that 50 to 100 shots were fired.

Besides Brooks, Williams and Scalise, other Republican lawmakers at the scene included: Rand Paul of Kentucky, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, Joe Barton of Texas, Steven Palazzo of Mississippi, Ron DeSantis of Florida and Steve Pearce of New Mexico.

Paul told ABC News in a telephone interview that he was in the batting cage when he heard an isolated gunshot.

Then “a burst of gunfire” erupted, Paul said. “At that point, people were dropping. Scalise was shot around second base and he crawled a little bit into the outfield.”

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Paul said Scalise’s security detail exchanged fire with the active shooter.

Wenstrup, an Iraq War veteran, told Fox News that once the shooting stopped he administered aid to Scalise, putting a compression on his wound.

“I felt I was back in Iraq but without my weapon,” he told Fox News.

Wenstrup said Scalise “was as brave as he could possibly be. He said, ‘I’m thirsty.’ Obviously, you don’t know how much fluid he may be losing internally.”

The FBI has responded to the scene and is leading the investigation.

At a news conference, this morning Alexandria Police Chief Mike Brown assured Alexandria residents that the community is safe.

Trump has canceled his speech today at the Department of Labor and Vice President Mike Pence has canceled a speech he had set for this morning.

Scalise’s office said no votes are expected in the House today.

Gabrielle Giffords, the last member of Congress to be shot, surviving a shooting in 2011, tweeted this morning, “My heart is with my former colleagues, their families; staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day.”