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Virginia shooting: House majority whip shot at congressional baseball practice – live Virginia shooting: House majority whip shot at congressional baseball practice – live
(35 minutes later)
1.48pm BST
13:48
Congressman Jeff Flake says about 25 Republican lawmakers were on the field at the time of the incident. Here is a partial list from Representative Mo Brooks’s recollection:
Steve Scalise, Louisiana
Rand Paul, West Virginia
Roger Williams, Texas
Joe Barton, Texas
Ron DeSantis, Florida
Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee
Jeff Flake, Arizona
Brad Wenstrup, Ohio
Gary Palmer, Alabama
Mo Brooks, Alabama
Updated
at 2.01pm BST
1.48pm BST
13:48
Here is video from the scene:
Updated
at 1.48pm BST
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13:44
David Taylor
Rand Paul, the Republican senator for Kentucky, told MSNBC he was practising in a batting cage just outside the fence to the baseball field when the shots started.
He heard a succession of five or 10 shots and then realised the Republican majority whip senator Steve Scalise was hit on the baseball field and was “trying to drag himself through the dirt towards the dugout”.
Two Congressional staffers were also on the ground, with shots kicking up dirt all around them, he said.
Paul, who hid behind a tree with a staffer who leapt over a high fence, described shots landing in the dirt in the outfield and around them.
He said at one point the gunman, who he thought was armed with a rifle must have reloaded and then there were 50 or 60 shots.
“Everybody probably would have died except for the fact that the Capitol Hill police were there,” he said.
The Republicans have been having regular morning practice at the field for about two months in advance of Thursday’s charity congressional baseball game at Nationals Park.
Armed police were there because Senator Scalise, a member of the leadership is on their team, Paul said.
“The Capitol Hill police, incredibly brave, probably saved the lives of everybody there. Had they not been there it would have been a massacre because there’s no escape, a guy, if he has got 100 bullets, we had no weapons and no place to hide.”
So if he had advanced on the rest of us, there would have been no chance ... shots were returned by the Capitol Hill police. From what I understand, they both were shot, I hope they are OK. One still protected the scene after being shot.”
1.41pm BST
13:41
Congressman Mo Brooks said that Scalise “crawled into the outfield, leaving a trail of blood”.
“We started giving him the liquids; I put pressure on his wound in his hip,” Brooks said.
1.38pm BST
13:38
NBC News and Reuters are both reporting that Congressman Steve Scalise as well as two capitol hill police officers struck by gunfire are in stable condition.
1.38pm BST
13:38
Donald Trump has issued a statement to say he is monitoring the shooting:
The Vice President and I are aware of the shooting incident in Virginia and are monitoring developments closely. 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.
1.37pm BST
13:37
Republican senator Rand Paul of Kentucky told MSNBC that he heard as many as 50 shots.
Shots landed near aides taking cover on the ground, he said, and one staffer scrambled over a fence to escape.
1.35pm BST
13:35
Representative Mike Bishop of Michigan said Scalise was standing on second base when he was shot.
“I was looking right at him,” Bishop told Detroit radio station WWJ. “He was a sitting duck.”
Representative Jeff Duncan said in a statement that he was at the practice and “saw the shooter”.
“Please pray for my colleagues,” Duncan said.
1.34pm BST
13:34
Alexandria, Virginia, is about 10 miles south of Washington DC.
1.30pm BST
13:30
Alexandria police have now confirmed that the suspect is in custody.
UPDATE: Suspect is in custody and not a threat. PIO will be onscene shortly to share updates.
1.29pm BST
13:29
A congressional aide has told AP Steve Scalise is in stable condition at George Washington University Hospital. In Mo Brooks’ CNN interview, he said Scalise had a “hip wound”.
Updated
at 1.42pm BST
1.18pm BST1.18pm BST
13:1813:18
Congressman Mo Brooks is giving a remarkable eyewitness interview on CNN.Congressman Mo Brooks is giving a remarkable eyewitness interview on CNN.
Of the shooter he said:Of the shooter he said:
I don’t know if he was killed but I tell you I don’t have any kind thoughts about the shooter so let’s leave it at that.I don’t know if he was killed but I tell you I don’t have any kind thoughts about the shooter so let’s leave it at that.
He appeared to be a white male. But bear in mind I saw him for just a second or two, a fraction of a second.He appeared to be a white male. But bear in mind I saw him for just a second or two, a fraction of a second.
If I had to guess, middle aged … he wasn’t skinny, but he did not appear to be obese either.If I had to guess, middle aged … he wasn’t skinny, but he did not appear to be obese either.
Describing the situation, Brooks said:Describing the situation, Brooks said:
You’re pretty helpless. It’s not a good situation to be in. I don’t know what took our security detail as long as it took them to start exchanging fire … It seemed like a long time but it might have been seconds … They exhibited tremendous bravery.You’re pretty helpless. It’s not a good situation to be in. I don’t know what took our security detail as long as it took them to start exchanging fire … It seemed like a long time but it might have been seconds … They exhibited tremendous bravery.
I got a glimpse of the shooter which meant he also could see me if he looked in my direction. At that point I ran around home plate.I got a glimpse of the shooter which meant he also could see me if he looked in my direction. At that point I ran around home plate.
There were probably 10, 20, 30 shots fired while two or three of us were seeking cover.There were probably 10, 20, 30 shots fired while two or three of us were seeking cover.
At least five people were hit with bullets.At least five people were hit with bullets.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.26pm BSTat 1.26pm BST
1.18pm BST1.18pm BST
13:1813:18
Police are investigating a shooting at a congressional baseball practice session in Virginia.Police are investigating a shooting at a congressional baseball practice session in Virginia.
Steve Scalise, the Republican House majority whip, and at least four others have been shot, Alabama congressman Mo Brooks told CNN.Steve Scalise, the Republican House majority whip, and at least four others have been shot, Alabama congressman Mo Brooks told CNN.
The extent of Scalise’s injuries are unknown.The extent of Scalise’s injuries are unknown.
Other lawmakers at the gathering in Alexandria are now secure, Brooks told CNN.Other lawmakers at the gathering in Alexandria are now secure, Brooks told CNN.
Alexandria police said the suspect was believed to be in custody.Alexandria police said the suspect was believed to be in custody.
More details soon ...More details soon ...
ALERT: APD investigating multiple shooting 400 block E Monroe St. Suspect believed in custody. Stay from area, let emergency vehicles thru.ALERT: APD investigating multiple shooting 400 block E Monroe St. Suspect believed in custody. Stay from area, let emergency vehicles thru.
APD PIO heading to scene, updates will be posted when available. Victims being transported to hospitals.APD PIO heading to scene, updates will be posted when available. Victims being transported to hospitals.