WASHINGTON — West Virginia federal officials sent their sympathies to the victims — including one U.S. representative — and witnesses of a shooting outside of the nation’s capitol.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and several Republican lawmakers were practicing Wednesday morning for the annual congressional baseball game, a match-up in which Republicans play against Democrats to raise money for Washington charities.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday practices begin two months or more ahead of the game. The GOP team was preparing in Alexandria, Virginia.
According to legislators at the scene, Scalise was standing at second base when he was shot. The congressman dragged himself away from the infield as lawmakers approached to provide assistance.
Capitol Police officers who were part of Scalise’s security detail wounded the suspect, who later died because of injuries. Scalise was accompanied by security as he is the third-highest-ranking GOP member in the House of Representatives.
MedStar Washington Hospital Center said Wednesday evening Scalise was shot once in the left hip and suffered injuries to his bones and internal organs, causing severe bleeding. He was listed in critical condition following surgery, and multiple procedures are expected.
A congressional aide for Texas Rep. Roger Williams, a lobbyist and two Capitol Police officers were also wounded. Williams said on Twitter his aide, Zack Barth, is expected to make a full recovery. The officers received minor injuries, as did a second congressman.
None of West Virginia’s congressional delegates were at the practice.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said it is “unimaginable” that someone would target lawmakers because of political party.
“We must also never take our Capitol Police for granted,” he said in a statement. “They put their lives on the line every day to protect us and we must always remember to thank them for their service and sacrifice in the line of duty.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said on Twitter she was thinking of the victims and would pray for their safety.
Reps. David McKinley and Alex Mooney tweeted similar messages regarding Scalise, their Republican colleagues and others who were at the baseball park.
Rep. Evan Jenkins said he was in the Capitol gym shaving when he heard news of the shooting.
“The Speaker of the House (Paul Ryan), who had just heard moments before, was finishing up shaving,” the congressman said in a telephone interview with reporters. “He was rushing to get dressed and attend to the emergency.”
Jenkins said without Scalise’s security detail, “we would be in a very, very different situation now.”
He added while it is fine for legislators to disagree, an attack on one is an attack on the entire body.
“We all need to take a deep breath, we need to slow down, we need to be conscience of what is being said and how it’s said,” Jenkins said.
One moment Jenkins said set the tone following the shooting was a meeting at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center auditorium, where legislators came together for a briefing.
“We started off the 11:30 session with a prayer,” he said. “No cameras, no reporters. This wasn’t a display for (the) public. One of the members who was leading the prayer asked us all to stand, asked us all to hold hands — everyone there, Democrats and Republicans alike — and offered a very emotional prayer with us all hand and hand.”
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice said the shooting was sad while also criticizing its format.
“Why does it have to be a game all the time between the Democrats and the Republicans? It’s not a game here,” Justice told television station WSAZ. “We have work to do here for the people. It’s a tragedy of what happened beyond belief, but really and truly it is just a game.”
The shooting suspect was identified as James T. Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old home inspector from Belleville, Illinois.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said on the Senate floor Hodgkinson was a volunteer during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The senator added he was “sickened by this despicable act.”
“Violence of any kind is unacceptable in this society, and I condemn this action in the strongest possibly terms,” he said.
Hodgkinson also made numerous posts on Facebook against President Donald Trump.
The FBI said Wednesday it is actively investigating a possible motive, his associates and social media impressions.
The baseball game will still be held Thursday. According to the event organizers, proceeds will go to additional beneficiaries including the Capitol Police Memorial Fund.