WASHINGTON – Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis (R-13) was at bat when the tragic baseball field shooting started in Alexandria. The SunTimes reports:
“I never thought I’d go to baseball practice and get shot at,” said Rep. Rodney Davis R-Ill., who was at bat Wednesday morning when a gunman started shooting at GOP lawmakers practicing for their annual charity congressional game.
“I was at bat. I was hitting. I heard a loud bang,” Davis said, talking at the Capitol, still in his scoffed practice clothes. “It felt like somebody…dropped a big piece of metal. The next thing I heard was ‘everybody run, he’s got a gun.'”
A variety of news reports identified the gunman as James Hodgkinson from Belleville, Ill. (IR UPDATE HERE)
Davis saw House Majority Whip Steve Scalise R-La. lying in the field and thought he was dead as the others started taking cover. Davis ran to a dugout and then took refuge in a nearby apartment building. At some point Davis must have hit the ground because he was bleeding from his elbow on his left arm.
Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) released the following statement on the matter:
We're praying together now in Capitol for colleagues, staff, Capitol Police, families & all affected by senseless shooting. Please join us.
Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-18) said:
I am relieved to hear that my friend and colleague Steve Scalise is in stable condition, and am continuing to monitor any news on the three other staff and security members who were shot in this morning’s attack. While I was not at the practice this morning, I want to thank and commend the first responders and the Capitol Police officers on site who helped bring an end to this horrible act. Without them, I worry that the situation would have been far worse. As members of both parties come together this morning in solidarity against this senseless act, my thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families of all those affected.
Several members of Congress were practicing early Wednesday morning for the annual Congressional ball game scheduled for Thursday night. A man allegedly began shooting at those on the ball field, and Majority Whip Steve Scalise was hit, along with at least two aides. Scalise's security was on hand, and returned fire at the assailant. Two security personnel were shot as they defended the Congress members.
Senator Rand Paul was on hand, and told reporters that if not for the security, there would have been "a massacre."
