Shoes were left at a baseball field after a shooting Wednesday morning during the Republican congressional baseball practice at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia.
At least five people people, including Rep. Steve Scalise, were wounded as the lawmakers practiced for an annual charity baseball game on Thursday. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)
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Rep. Mo Brooks: Capitol Police officer ignored his own injuries to help Majority Whip Steve Scalise
June 14, 2017
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) told CNN that a Capitol Police officer ignored his own gunshot injuries in order to assist House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) during a shooting Wednesday morning at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia.
Multiple witnesses said a gunman opened fire during the Republican practice, and five people — including Scalise, a congressional aide, and two Capitol Police officers — were shot.
Police named James T. Hodgkinson, 66, of Illinois as their suspect in the shooting. Hodgkinson was shot by police on-site and was transported to a D.C. hospital. President Donald Trump said during a statement from the White House that the suspect has died.
Brooks told CNN that he heard a "loud bam" during practice.
"I see a rifle, then I see a little bit of a body and then I hear another 'blam' and then I realized there's an active shooter," Brooks said.
"At the same time, I hear Steve Scalise over near second base scream. He was shot," Brooks continued.
Brooks said that “there must have been 50 to 100 shots fired" before Scalise’s security detail subdued the attacker.
Then, Brooks noted, a Capitol Police officer ignored his own wounds to assist Scalise
"The Capitol security guy who had already been shot, who had helped take down the shooter, came limping over to us in the outfield, totally ignoring his own wounds to check on the person he was primarily responsible for — Steve Scalise being a part of the House leadership team."
Brooks said they “insisted” that the officer seek medical attention, “but he was doing his job.”
He said the officers showed "incredible bravery" during the attack.
Rep. Mo Brooks describes “incredible bravery” of an injured officer who limped over to check on members of Congress https://t.co/DSMZGDtIBe
— CNN (@CNN) June 14, 2017
After the incident, a spokesperson for Scalise said that the majority whip underwent surgery and “is in stable condition.”
“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. This office will release additional information regarding the Whip’s condition as appropriate.
This year’s annual congressional baseball game is scheduled for Thursday evening.
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