ALEXANDRIA, Va. Police are investigating a shooting in Alexandria, Va., a suburb of Washington, D.C., at a baseball field where U.S. legislators were practicing for an annual congressional baseball game just after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. Police say that five people were transported to the hospital following the shooting including two Capitol Hill police officers, one of whom was airlifted to medical care.It has been confirmed that Rep. Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana and the House Majority Whip, was among those injured and transported to a nearby hospital after witnesses say he was shot in the hip. Scalise and the two police officers are reportedly in stable condition. A congressional aide is also believed to have been shot. Witnesses report that the assailant fired between 12 and 14 shots toward second base of the baseball diamond. The shooter, who was taken into custody, appeared to be a white male, “a little bit on the chubby side,” Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) told CNN, adding that he only saw the man for second.The Alexandria park is where members of Congress practice every spring for the annual bipartisan baseball game. During practices it is closed off by Capitol Hill police, who witnesses say acted quickly to stop the shooter. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump is aware of the shooting and is being kept informed.Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2017
North State Journal will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. Reuters News Service contributed to this report.
