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Steve Scalise: Republican House whip shot and wounded Gunman dead after attacking congressmen at Virginia baseball field
(35 minutes later)
A top congressman was among five people wounded as a gunman sprayed bullets at Republican lawmakers during baseball practice in a Washington DC suburb. A gunman who sprayed bullets at Republican lawmakers during baseball practice in a Washington DC suburb has died, US President Donald Trump said.
House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise was expected to survive after the early morning attack at a park in Alexandria, Virginia. The attacker, identified as Illinois resident James T Hodgkinson, was taken to hospital and died from his injuries.
Two police officers suffered non-life threatening bullet wounds as they fired back at the attacker. House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise was one of five injured in the early morning attack at a park in Alexandria, Virginia.
Officials have identified the gunman as Illinois resident James T Hodgkinson. Two police officers suffered non-life threatening wounds as they fired back.
Police had earlier said the gunman was one of five people taken to the hospital. "We may have our differences, but we do well in times like these to remember that everyone who serves in our nation's capital is here because, above all, they love our country," Mr Trump said, describing the attack as a "very, very brutal assault".
Alexandria police tweeted: "Suspect is in custody and not a threat." "We are strongest when we are unified and when we work together for the common good."
He also called Mr Scalise, who is recovering from surgery, a "very good friend", a "patriot and a fighter".
The lawmakers were practising for the annual congressional ballgame scheduled to be played on Thursday at Nationals Park, home of Major League Baseball team the Washington Nationals.The lawmakers were practising for the annual congressional ballgame scheduled to be played on Thursday at Nationals Park, home of Major League Baseball team the Washington Nationals.
Alexandria police said the FBI was taking over the investigation into the shooting, which began shortly after 07:00 (11:00 GMT) on Wednesday morning at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.Alexandria police said the FBI was taking over the investigation into the shooting, which began shortly after 07:00 (11:00 GMT) on Wednesday morning at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.
'Killing field''Killing field'
President Donald Trump said in a statement: "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."
Who is Steve Scalise?
Mr Scalise was shot in the hip was said to be in "good spirits" before he was taken in for surgery.Mr Scalise was shot in the hip was said to be in "good spirits" before he was taken in for surgery.
He was "doing well" after his operation, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said.He was "doing well" after his operation, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy said.
Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, said someone had used a belt as a tourniquet on Mr Scalise at the baseball field.Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, said someone had used a belt as a tourniquet on Mr Scalise at the baseball field.
Who is Steve Scalise?
South Carolina congressman Jeff Duncan said the suspect had asked him whether Republicans or Democrats were practising before shots rang out.
Texas congressman Roger Williams' office said one of his staff, legislative correspondent Zack Barth, was wounded in the attack.Texas congressman Roger Williams' office said one of his staff, legislative correspondent Zack Barth, was wounded in the attack.
Tyson Foods confirmed that one of its lobbyists, Matt Mika, was also among those injured and the company was "awaiting word on his condition".
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul told Fox News: "I do believe without the Capitol Hill police it would have been a massacre.Kentucky Senator Rand Paul told Fox News: "I do believe without the Capitol Hill police it would have been a massacre.
"We had no defence at all. The field was basically a killing field.""We had no defence at all. The field was basically a killing field."
He said they were lucky that Mr Scalise was present because he has a security detail owing to his congressional seniority.He said they were lucky that Mr Scalise was present because he has a security detail owing to his congressional seniority.
Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican, told CNN he was on third base during the baseball game when he saw Mr Scalise, who was on second base, shot.Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican, told CNN he was on third base during the baseball game when he saw Mr Scalise, who was on second base, shot.
He said Mr Scalise had a bullet hole in his leg, but was saying: "I'm OK, I'm OK."He said Mr Scalise had a bullet hole in his leg, but was saying: "I'm OK, I'm OK."
Mr Brooks said everyone on the field scattered as 50 to 100 shots were fired.Mr Brooks said everyone on the field scattered as 50 to 100 shots were fired.
He said a gunfight had ensued between the shooter and the congressmen's police security detail, who were armed with pistols.He said a gunfight had ensued between the shooter and the congressmen's police security detail, who were armed with pistols.
Mr Brooks said the gunman was armed with a rifle and was "blasting away" from behind the dugout, using it for protection.Mr Brooks said the gunman was armed with a rifle and was "blasting away" from behind the dugout, using it for protection.
The congressman, who said he took refuge behind a batting cage, described the attacker as a middle-aged white male, "a little on the chubby side".The congressman, who said he took refuge behind a batting cage, described the attacker as a middle-aged white male, "a little on the chubby side".
Mr Brooks said congressmen Chuck Fleischmann, of Tennessee, Ron DeSantis, of Florida, and Jeff Duncan, of South Carolina, were among 15-25 lawmakers at the game.Mr Brooks said congressmen Chuck Fleischmann, of Tennessee, Ron DeSantis, of Florida, and Jeff Duncan, of South Carolina, were among 15-25 lawmakers at the game.
Asked by a CNN host if the attack was deliberate, Mr Brooks replied: "Well, it sure as heck wasn't an accident!Asked by a CNN host if the attack was deliberate, Mr Brooks replied: "Well, it sure as heck wasn't an accident!
"He was going after elected officials, congressmen.""He was going after elected officials, congressmen."
Mr Brooks continued: "The only weapon I had was a baseball bat and that's not the kind of fight you want to engage in."Mr Brooks continued: "The only weapon I had was a baseball bat and that's not the kind of fight you want to engage in."
Ohio congressman Brad Wenstrup, who served in Iraq as a combat surgeon from 2005-06, provided medical care at the scene.Ohio congressman Brad Wenstrup, who served in Iraq as a combat surgeon from 2005-06, provided medical care at the scene.
He told CNN the shooter eventually resorted to a pistol, having apparently used up all his rifle ammunition.He told CNN the shooter eventually resorted to a pistol, having apparently used up all his rifle ammunition.
'A lot of ammo''A lot of ammo'
Arizona Senator Jeff Flake told reporters he was at bat during the shooting and the victims were "sitting ducks".Arizona Senator Jeff Flake told reporters he was at bat during the shooting and the victims were "sitting ducks".
He said the attack had lasted for at least 10 minutes, adding: "He had a lot of ammo."He said the attack had lasted for at least 10 minutes, adding: "He had a lot of ammo."
Mr Flake added: "There are two of his [Mr Scalise's security] detail were shot, one African-American gentleman shot in the leg and I believe he's the one that brought the shooter down.Mr Flake added: "There are two of his [Mr Scalise's security] detail were shot, one African-American gentleman shot in the leg and I believe he's the one that brought the shooter down.
"He ran around for quite a while with a leg wound, returning fire.""He ran around for quite a while with a leg wound, returning fire."
Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said his officers had responded and engaged the shooter within three minutes.Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said his officers had responded and engaged the shooter within three minutes.
The last member of Congress to be targeted by a gunman was Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head as she met constituents in Tucson, Arizona, in January 2011. She survived, but six others died in that incident.The last member of Congress to be targeted by a gunman was Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head as she met constituents in Tucson, Arizona, in January 2011. She survived, but six others died in that incident.
Ms Giffords‏ tweeted on Wednesday: "My heart is with my former colleagues, their families & staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day."Ms Giffords‏ tweeted on Wednesday: "My heart is with my former colleagues, their families & staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day."
The top Republican in the House of Representatives, Speaker Paul Ryan, said "the hearts of the whole House" were with the victims.The top Republican in the House of Representatives, Speaker Paul Ryan, said "the hearts of the whole House" were with the victims.
One eyewitness was outraged that the gunman should have targeted a game known as the nation's pastime.One eyewitness was outraged that the gunman should have targeted a game known as the nation's pastime.
Noah Nathan told NBC News: "Baseball is America's game! You don't mess with baseball."Noah Nathan told NBC News: "Baseball is America's game! You don't mess with baseball."