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Virginia shooting: House majority whip among at least five injured – live Virginia shooting: Trump says attacker has died of injuries – live
(35 minutes later)
4.49pm BST
16:49
South Carolina representative Jeff Duncan, who left baseball practice early, said he thinks he spoke to the gunmen in the parking lot before the shooting.
Duncan, a Republican, said the conversation wasn’t out of the ordinary, though the man asked him which party the players represented.
Duncan told reporters he was “shaken up” by the incident. “The world changed for us a little bit as members,” he said.
"I'm shaken up. My colleagues were targeted" -- @RepJeffDuncan (R-SC) pic.twitter.com/6UwjPUVlvn
4.48pm BST
16:48
President Trump from the White House:
Everyone on that field is a public servant. Our courageous police, our congressional aides, who work so tirelessly behind the scenes with enormous devotion, and our dedicated members of congress who represent our people. We may have our differences, but we do well in times like this to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capitol is here because, above all, they love our country.
We can all agree that we are blessed to be Americans, that our children deserve to grow up in a nation of safety and peace, and that we are strongest when we are unified, and when we work together for the common good. Please take a moment today to cherish those you love and always remember those who serve and keep us safe. God bless them all, God bless you, and God bless America.
4.38pm BST
16:38
Trump: Shooter has died
Donald Trump is speaking now. He has just announced that the assailant has died of his injuries.
4.35pm BST
16:35
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has released the following statement on this morning’s shooting:
I know the entire Senate will join me in echoing the sentiments of the president this morning. We are deeply saddened. We are concerned for all those injured. We will keep them in our prayers, we will continue to send them every wish for a quick and full recovery.
We are grateful for all those who stepped in to help: those practicing on the field, the first responders, and of course the Capitol Police Officers on the scene. We are deeply indebted for their service, we again salute their continuing and unfailing bravery on behalf of the Capitol community. The Congressional Baseball Game is a bipartisan charity event. I know the Senate will embrace that spirit today as we come together in expressing both our concern and our gratitude.”
House Majority Leader Paul Ryan is also expected to deliver remarks around noon from the Senate floor, and President Trump is expected to speak from the White House at any moment.
Updated
at 4.35pm BST
4.29pm BST
16:29
An acquaintance of suspected shooter James Hodgkinson told the Washington Post that he met and became friendly with the man while campaigning for Bernie Sanders in Iowa.
Charles Orear, 50, a restaurant manager from St. Louis, said in an interview Wednesday that Hodgkinson was a passionate progressive and showed no signs of violence or malice toward others.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Orear said when told of the incident by phone. “I met him on the Bernie trail in Iowa, worked with him in the Quad Cities area.”
Orear described Hodgkinson as a “quiet guy” who was “very mellow, very reserved” when they stayed overnight at a Sanders’s supporter home in Rock Island, Ill., after canvassing for the senator.
“He was this union tradesman, pretty stocky, and we stayed up talking politics,” he said. “He was more on the really progressive side of things.”
The Post reached out to Orear after seeing that he liked one of Hodgkinson’s Facebook posts.
Updated
at 4.31pm BST
4.23pm BST
16:23
Police chief: FBI taking over investigation
Updates from the late morning law enforcement press briefing in Alexandria:
Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown:
This is not an active incident, the city is safe. We have an active investigation but I want to reassure the community here in Alexandria that the city is safe.
Because this case involves an assault on a federal officer, the FBI will be taking over the investigation.
I couldn’t be more proud of the men and women who were involved from the Alexandria Police Department, they did an outstanding job.
Capitol Hill Police Chief Matthew Verderosa:
My units of our dignitary protection were on site with a congressional protectee [Steve Scalise], when we the incident occurred. They did engage in gunfire with the suspect and were assisted by the Alexandria police.
The US Capitol Hill Police officers who were injured are in good condition and have not suffered any life threatening injuries at this point.
FBI Agent Tim Slater:
“It’s too early to say right now” whether the shooting constitutes an act of terrorism. “We are exploring all angles”Slater would not confirm whether the members of congress were targeted for that reason or not, or any other details about the shooter, the weapon, or questions he may have asked.
Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe:
I want to compliment members of the US Capitol police for their extraordinary quick action. Through their heroic action and others, they saved a lot of lives today.
Asked by reporters if more should be done to protect politicians, McAuliffe replied: “I think we need to do more to protect all of our citizens. I have long advocated – this is not what today is about – but there are too many guns on the streets.”
He then misspoke, claiming: “We lose 93 million Americans a day to gun violence. I have long talked about this. Background checks and shutting down gun show loopholes, and that’s not for today’s discussion, but it’s not just about politicians. We worry about this every day for all of our citizens.”
Prompted by a journalist, McAuliffe later clarified that 93 individuals, not 93 million, die every day from gun violence.
Updated
at 4.49pm BST
4.08pm BST4.08pm BST
16:0816:08
The AP is reporting that the suspected shooter has been identified as Illinois man James T. Hodgkinson by at least one government official. The Guardian cannot independently confirm the name of the individual who is in custody and receiving medical attention.The AP is reporting that the suspected shooter has been identified as Illinois man James T. Hodgkinson by at least one government official. The Guardian cannot independently confirm the name of the individual who is in custody and receiving medical attention.
3.45pm BST3.45pm BST
15:4515:45
.@RepJoeBarton and his sons board the subway in the Capitol after a shooting at the Republican's baseball practice in Va. #baseballshooting pic.twitter.com/4lrc80frcj.@RepJoeBarton and his sons board the subway in the Capitol after a shooting at the Republican's baseball practice in Va. #baseballshooting pic.twitter.com/4lrc80frcj
3.32pm BST3.32pm BST
15:3215:32
Our Lauren Gambino is on Capitol Hill getting reaction from legislators:Our Lauren Gambino is on Capitol Hill getting reaction from legislators:
Mark Meadows says the shooting showed "the worst in humanity today ... but you also see the best."Mark Meadows says the shooting showed "the worst in humanity today ... but you also see the best."
He said it is "certainly not the appropriate time" to start a debate on policy over gun control and background checks https://t.co/VCVvczBzMnHe said it is "certainly not the appropriate time" to start a debate on policy over gun control and background checks https://t.co/VCVvczBzMn
3.29pm BST3.29pm BST
15:2915:29
David SmithDavid Smith
Our David Smith is on the scene of the shooting and talking to local residents:Our David Smith is on the scene of the shooting and talking to local residents:
Megan Hacala, a fitness professional, said nothing like this had happened before in the neighborhood. “It’s a peaceful place. A lot of baseball is played. There’s a dog park right next to the field. It’s just sad.”Megan Hacala, a fitness professional, said nothing like this had happened before in the neighborhood. “It’s a peaceful place. A lot of baseball is played. There’s a dog park right next to the field. It’s just sad.”
A growing band of reporters, photographers and TV crews are gathered behind police tape at the corner of DeWitt and Monroe Avenues, close to the redbrick Anglican Catholic Church: St Andrew & St Margaret of Scotland. It is affluent neighbourhood of detached redbrick houses, front porches, neat lawns and trees.A growing band of reporters, photographers and TV crews are gathered behind police tape at the corner of DeWitt and Monroe Avenues, close to the redbrick Anglican Catholic Church: St Andrew & St Margaret of Scotland. It is affluent neighbourhood of detached redbrick houses, front porches, neat lawns and trees.
One resident of the street, who did not wish to be named, came out on her front path to view the commotion. She said she walked by the baseball field every day and described it as a safe area where locals walk their dogs.One resident of the street, who did not wish to be named, came out on her front path to view the commotion. She said she walked by the baseball field every day and described it as a safe area where locals walk their dogs.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.30pm BSTat 3.30pm BST
3.26pm BST3.26pm BST
15:2615:26
Zachary Barth, a staffer for GOP Rep. Roger Williams of TX, posted on FB that he was shot but is "okay." Gave permission to post thru friend pic.twitter.com/ruUuNrtqn6Zachary Barth, a staffer for GOP Rep. Roger Williams of TX, posted on FB that he was shot but is "okay." Gave permission to post thru friend pic.twitter.com/ruUuNrtqn6
3.03pm BST3.03pm BST
15:0315:03
From the office of Steve Scalise to members of Congress: Members are advised that, given today’s events, no votes are expected in the House today. In addition, there will be no morning hour speeches at 10:00 a.m.From the office of Steve Scalise to members of Congress: Members are advised that, given today’s events, no votes are expected in the House today. In addition, there will be no morning hour speeches at 10:00 a.m.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.03pm BSTat 3.03pm BST
2.55pm BST2.55pm BST
14:5514:55
Update on the condition of majority whip Steve Scalise from his congressional office:Update on the condition of majority whip Steve Scalise from his congressional office:
“This morning, at a practice for the congressional baseball game, Whip Scalise was shot in the hip. He was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he is currently undergoing surgery. He is in stable condition.“This morning, at a practice for the congressional baseball game, Whip Scalise was shot in the hip. He was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he is currently undergoing surgery. He is in stable condition.
“Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone. He is grateful for the brave actions of US Capitol Police, first responders and colleagues.“Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone. He is grateful for the brave actions of US Capitol Police, first responders and colleagues.
“We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.”“We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.”
2.47pm BST
14:47
Rep Ron DeSantis of Florida, who was in attendance at the baseball practice recalls: “A guy...walked up to us that was asking whether it was Republicans or Democrats out there.
“I don’t know if that was the guy, but I think it’s important to put that information out there and it was a little bit different than someone would do that. He was really interested in wanting to know who was out there.”
Updated
at 2.56pm BST
2.40pm BST
14:40
The House Natural Resources Committee has cancelled a vote scheduled for this morning that would have make it easier for gun owners to obtain firearm suppressors.
UPDATE: House Natural Resources Committee says the hearing on @RepJeffDuncan's bill to deregulate gun silencers has been canceled
2.31pm BST
14:31
Video from Arlington Police Chief Michael Brown’s press conference a short while ago:
APD Chief Michael Brown updated media. 5 transported to local hospitals, including suspect. We will not ID victims or suspect right now. pic.twitter.com/pPYlqEjACM
2.14pm BST
14:14
Congressman Mo Brooks’s full recollection of the incident on CNN:
I was on deck about to hit batting practice on the third base side of home plate and I heard a loud ‘bam’ and I look around and behind third base and the third base dugout which is cinderblock, I see a rifle. And I see a little bit of a body and I then hear another ‘blam’ and I realize that there’s an active shooter.
At the same time I heard Steve Scalise over near second base scream, he was shot, he’s our majority whip. The gun was a semi-automatic. It continues to fire at different people. You can imagine all the people on the field scatter. I run around to the first base side of home plate. We have a batting cage that’s got plastic wrapped around it to stop foul balls, and hide behind the plastic. You know the plastic’s not real good. And I was lying on the ground with two or three others as gunfire continues.
I heard a break in the gunfire and decided to take a chance, ran from home plate to the first base dugout, which is also cinderblock and down about two or three feet so you can have better cover. There were a number of congressman and congressional staffers who help us lying on the ground. One of them was wounded in the leg. I took off my belt and myself and another congressman I don’t remember who applied a tourniquet to try to slow down the bleeding.
In the meantime, I’m towards the right field side of the dugout and there’s gunfire within about five six seven feel of my head and I look up and there’s a guy with a gun blasting away. Fortunately, it was one of the good guys. One of our security detail who was shooting back. Of course it was pistol versus rifle, our pistols versus the shooter’s rifle on the third base line just outside the chain link fence and he was warning us to stay down. Another security detail person was closer to home plate, probably, I couldn’t see him but probably on the home plate side of the dugout, outside the fence line using the dugout as cover as he’s firing back.
And there must have been 50 to 100 shots fired. Hard to uh, itemize ‘em. Eventually it seems that the shooter shot both of our security detail people. There were some congressman on phones screaming for reinforcements.
Seemed like a long time and we weren’t even hearing sirens from local police officers which tells me they probably did not yet know what was going on. Eventually the shooter starts circling around third base. This is my understanding. Of course I’m down on the ground helping a guy who’s got a bullet hole in his leg. And the shooter starts coming around home plate towards we are outside the fence line and my understanding is that’s where our security detail, maybe some of the ones who were wounded, still defending us, took him down.
At which point, once we got the all clear that the shooter was down, we ran out to second base for Steve Scalise. He had crawled into the outfield leaving a trail of blood. We started giving him some liquids. I put pressure on the wound in his hip. And Brad Wenstrup, congressman from Ohio, Cincinnati, fortunately is a physician, he started doing what you need to do to minimize the blood loss.
Shorty thereafter more the police showed up. Again, it seemed like forever but it was probably shorter that what it seemed. A helicopter landed in center field and took away whomever folks decided was the most wounded, most critical. I don’t know who that person was. At that time the police were causing all of us to gather outside the first base line and the chain link fence and cordoning off the area to help ensure if there was a second shooter we would be better protected.
2.12pm BST
14:12
Donald Trump has tweeted thoughts and prayers for Scalise.
He describes Scalise as having been badly injured but says he is expected to full recover. House Speaker Paul Ryan’s office has said his wounds are not life-threatening.
Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
2.10pm BST
14:10
Gabrielle Giffords, the former congresswoman who was shot in the head in 2011 and campaigns against gun violence, has tweeted:
My heart is with my former colleagues, their families & staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day.
2.04pm BST
14:04
Senator Rand Paul on the Capitol Hill Police:
Nobody else had a weapon so he was just killing everyone - or he would have. I think the Capitol Hill Police, both were wounded and I hope they survive. They deserve our gratitude for saving - it would have been a massacre without them.
“Our lives were saved by the Capitol police,” said Sen. Rand Paul, adding, “the field was basically a killing field.”
On the baseball game the legislators were practicing for:
It’s really one of the best things we do, it’s a bipartisan thing, i’ve gotten to know many Democrats through this game. We joke around, it’s collegial, it’s for charity. We’re set to raise $600,000 for the literacy project of the Boys and Girls Club of DC. It’s a good thing. Who would want to kill people trying to do something good. It’s just really sick and very sad.
Updated
at 2.07pm BST
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, Kentucky
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 2.04pm BST
1.48pm BST
13:48
Here is video from the scene:
Updated
at 2.04pm BST
1.44pm BST
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.”