In his first interview since he was shot at a Republican baseball practice in June, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) compared himself to the nursery rhyme character Humpty Dumpty.
Scalise was shot in the hip when a gunman opened fire in June at an Alexandria, Virginia, baseball field where Republican lawmakers were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game.
'They put me back together again'
In a preview of a “60 Minutes” interview scheduled to air Sunday, Scalise told CBS’ Norah O’Donnell about the shooting and his monthslong hospital stay as he recovered.
This Sunday, I'll join @60Minutes to discuss my road to recovery since the attack on the baseball field in June. I hope you'll tune in. pic.twitter.com/jcQnc1FSE9
— Rep. Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) September 27, 2017
“I found out later just how much damage was done internally,” Scalise said. “You know, I mean, my femur was shattered. The hip and pelvis had serious damage where the bullet went through and, you know, did some damage to areas that had to be shored up with steel plates and then they did a phenomenal job of rebuilding, you know, rebuilding Humpty Dumpty. I mean, there were, there was a lot of damage inside that had to get fixed.”
“They put you back together again,” O’Donnell said.
“They put me back together again,” Scalise said.
WATCH: Congressman Steve Scalise speaks to @NorahODonnell after being shot at a congressional baseball practice. More on #60Minutes Sunday. pic.twitter.com/dD3Vho323R
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) September 28, 2017
The attack
Five people were shot during the attack, including Scalise and two Capitol Police officers. Capitol Police said the gunman was fatally shot at the scene.
In a statement shortly after Scalise was admitted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the hospital said he “sustained a single rifle shot to the left hip.”
“The bullet traveled across his pelvis, fracturing bones, injuring internal organs, and causing severe bleeding. He was transported in shock to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, a Level I Trauma Center,” the statement said. “He underwent immediate surgery, and an additional procedure to stop bleeding. He has received multiple units of blood transfusion. His condition is critical, and he will require additional operations.”