We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Congress seeks normalcy, heads back to work after shooting

Posted on

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (all times local):

The business of the House is resuming a day after a rifle-wielding attacker opened fire on Republican lawmakers practicing for a charity baseball game.

 

 

The attack critically wounded House GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and also injured Capitol police officers, and a current and former congressional aide. The assailant had nursed grievances against President Donald Trump and the GOP — and was shot by police and later died.

Votes were canceled in the House on Wednesday, but on Thursday they were taking place.

Scalise had been fielding balls at second base when he was shot and then dragged himself away from the infield in a trail of blood. The shooter was identified as James T. Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old home inspector from Illinois.

10:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump sat by Rep. Steve Scalise’s bedside and spoke with the House Majority Whip’s family during a visit Wednesday evening to the hospital where Scalise remains in critical condition.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer describes the scene in the intensive care unit as “emotional.”

Spicer says the president was also briefed by Scalise’s medical team and spoke with Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner, who was shot in the ankle during the attack on a Republican Congressional baseball practice.

The president and first lady Melania Trump spent about half an hour at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Trump also met with other Capitol police officers who have gathered at the hospital and thanked them for their service.

The president was accompanied by White House doctor Ronny Jackson.

___

9:20 p.m.

The hospital where Rep. Steve Scalise is recovering after being shot says the congressman remains in critical condition and will require several more operations.

MedStar Washington Hospital Center is also providing a more detailed description of Scalise’s wounds. The hospital says he was shot in the left hip, after which “the bullet travelled across his pelvis, fracturing bones, injuring internal organs and causing severe bleeding.”

Scalise was among several people wounded early Wednesday when a rifle-wielding attacker fired on lawmakers on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington. The attacker was shot and later died.

___

8:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump is making a surprise visit to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where Rep. Steve Scalise is being treated for his injuries following Wednesday’s shooting at a Republican congressional baseball practice.

The president and first lady Melania Trump brought two bouquets of flowers to the hospital.

MedStar Washington said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon that Scalise “was critically injured and remains in critical condition.” It provided no further details about him.

Scalise was among several people wounded when a rifle-wielding attacker fired on lawmakers on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington. The attacker was shot and later died.

___

8 p.m.

Vice President Mike Pence has been speaking with the victims of Wednesday morning’s attack on a Congressional Republican baseball practice.

Pence’s office says he spoke with the two injured members of the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as the father of lobbyist Matt Mika, who was shot multiple times.

Pence also touched base with the Capitol Police chief and a number of lawmakers, including Rep. Roger Williams of Texas. Williams said at a press conference that Pence had spoken with his injured staffer, Zachary Barth.

The White House said shortly after the shooting that President Donald Trump had spoken with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, injured Rep. Steve Scalise’s wife and chief of staff, and the chief of the Capitol Police.

___

5:28 p.m.

Family members of Matt Mika says he suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains in the intensive care unit in critical condition after surgery.

Mika was wounded Wednesday when a gunman opened fire at a baseball practice, injuring a congressman and others.

His family said in a statement late Wednesday that they expect Mika to remain hospitalized for at least several days. The family said, “we continue to be in disbelief that he would be part of this heinous attack.”

Mika is a former aide to Michigan Republican congressman Tim Walberg. He is director of government relations for Tyson Foods Washington, D.C., office and has worked for the company for more than six years.

Mika’s family described him as “a very thoughtful, fun-loving person who is competitive and loyal; all things which contributed to his continued commitment to the Congressional Baseball Game.”

___

4:00 p.m.

The FBI says it’s investigating the social media presence and motives of the Illinois man suspected in a shooting that injured Rep. Steve Scalise and several others.

The FBI on Wednesday confirmed the gunman’s identity as 66-year-old James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois. Officials say they’re investigating Hodgkinson’s whereabouts, associates, web postings and “potential motivations.”

Authorities are searching his home in Illinois.

The FBI says five people overall were taken to hospitals with gunshot wounds, including the shooter, Scalise, a Capitol Police officer, a congressional staffer and a lobbyist. Another congressman suffered minor injuries. Hodgksinson later died.

Meanwhile, the Capitol Police says one of its officers is in good condition after having been shot in the ankle and another was treated and released with a minor injury.

___

3:40 p.m.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney received a threatening email shortly after a man opened fire on members of Congress and others on a baseball field.

The subject line read, “One down, 216 to go…”

That’s according to the New York Republican’s spokeswoman, Hannah Andrews, who said her office alerted Capitol Police.

There are 238 Republicans in the House, but 217 voted for a bill that would repeal and replace President Barack Obama’s health law. It was unclear whether the email writer was referring to that vote.

___

2:54 p.m.

A Washington hospital says the congressman shot during a baseball practice is in critical condition following surgery.

MedStar Washington said in a tweet Wednesday afternoon that Rep. Steve Scalise “was critically injured and remains in critical condition.” It provided no further details about him.

Scalise was among several people wounded when a rifle-wielding attacker fired on Republican lawmakers on a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington. The attacker was shot and later died.

The hospital said another victim of the shooting is in good condition. It did not identify the victim.

___

1:10 p.m.

George Washington University Hospital says one of the two patients it was treating following the shooting at a congressional baseball practice has died while the other remains in critical condition.

Hospital spokeswoman Susan Griffiths did not identify either patient, but President Donald Trump had just announced that the shooter had died of his injuries.

Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise underwent surgery for a gunshot to the hip and was in stable condition.

Capitol Police officers who were in his security detail had wounded the shooter. Two of those officers also were wounded and both were expected to recover.

The fifth person wounded in the shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday morning was a former congressional aide, who now works for Tysons Food.

___

1:05 p.m.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein is calling a shooting at a congressional baseball practice a “senseless and cowardly attack.”

Rosenstein says in a statement that his thoughts are with the victims and their families, and he is praying for their swift recovery. He says the Justice Department will provide resources for a thorough investigation.

Five people, including the suspected shooter, were hit. President Donald Trump said the attacker died later.

Rosenstein says police officers who responded to the attack are “heroic” and “their willingness to risk their lives to keep us safe is humbling and inspiring.”

___

1:00 p.m.

A Texas congressman says the gunman who shot Louisiana Republican Steve Scalise at baseball practice had first fired at another Republican lawmaker and missed.

Republican Joe Barton witnessed the shootings that wounded Scalise and several others.

Barton told reporters Wednesday that the gunman first fired shots at Mississippi Republican congressman Trent Kelly and missed before shooting Scalise. He says Kelly was playing third base. Scalise, who was shot in the hip, was playing second.

Kelly said on Twitter that he is safe.

Mississippi’s two other Republican congressmen — Steven Palazzo and Gregg Harper — also say they are safe.

Palazzo is on the Republican baseball team but was not at practice because he was doing a radio interview.

___

12:40 p.m.

House Speaker Paul Ryan has told his fellow lawmakers that “an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”

The Wisconsin Republican praised the efforts of Capitol police officers and other law enforcement.

Ryan addressed the House in the wake of Wednesday’s shooting at a practice of lawmakers for the annual charity congressional baseball game.

Ryan said, “these were our brothers and sisters in the line of fire.”

Ryan received a standing ovation as lawmakers in both parties came to the House chamber as a show of unity.

Ryan said implored lawmakers in both parties “to resolve to come together to lift each other up and to show the country, show the world that we are one House, the people’s House, united in our humanity.”

___

12:20 p.m.

Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders says the man authorities identified as opening fire on the Republican congressional baseball practice had apparently volunteered on his presidential campaign.

Sanders, an independent from Vermont who ran for president, says in a statement: “I am sickened by this despicable act.”

He says that “violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.”

He paid tribute to Capitol Police for their response to the shooting, and said his prayers are with House GOP Whip Steve Scalise and others who were wounded.

Sanders challenged Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in the 2016 presidential election.

_____

11:45 a.m.

President Donald Trump says the assailant in the congressional shooting has died from his injuries.

Trump said Wednesday morning that the gunman who shot Rep. Steve Scalise, of Louisiana, had died. The assailant has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson.

Scalise was shot at a congressional baseball practice just outside of Washington. Officials said several other people were also wounded. Trump said Scalise “was badly wounded and is now in stable condition.”

Trump praised the “heroic actions” of the Capital Police at the scene.

____

11:43 a.m.

President Donald Trump says he has spoken to Rep. Steve Scalise’s wife, Jennifer, to offer his support to the family.

Trump calls Scalise, the House majority whip, a very good friend and says he is a fighter and a patriot.

Trump offers his own prayers to the Scalise family, and says the entire world is also praying for them.

____

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot Wednesday at a congressional baseball practice, congressional officials say.

 

Sen. Jeff Flake says the gunman had “a rifle of some sort” and “a lot of ammo.”

Flake says Scalise was playing second base at a congressional baseball practice when he was shot by a man standing off the third-base side of the field. He says Scalise dragged himself into the outfield to get farther away from the shooting.

Several other people were wounded, including a congressional staff member and law enforcement personnel.

Kansas First District Rep. Roger Marshall is a member of the GOP team and confirmed in a text message and on social media that he was safe. He was not in attendance at the practice.

In an email statement Marshall  said:

This morning was one of just a handful of practices I haven’t made it to. Thank you for the many who have asked about me and offered support.

Steve Scalise is the leader of our team in so many ways. Whether it is on the baseball field, the House floor, or in life, he is always encouraging, motivating and supporting his Members and teammates. Just two days ago, Steve and I were riding together to an event at the Secretary of the Interior’s office, enjoying each other’s company. He is a terrific friend and father, and his wife and two kids are in my prayers.

There were staff and Police seriously injured. I want to ask for prayers for them and their families.

This – at a baseball practice, no less – is an insult to America, our way of live and our ability to put politics aside and enjoy a pastime to benefit charity.

I ask that each of you join me in praying for my good friend, Steve Scalise, and the staff and Capitol Police who were injured. I don’t have any other information at this time, but I ask for your continued prayers for those injured and their families.

The coward who did this will not win in any way. Though shaken, we are not deterred in our mission to turn this country in a better direction.

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File