What we know about the congressional baseball shooting – ABC News

Rep. Steve Scalise underwent surgery this morning, his third procedure since suffering severe injuries Wednesday when a gunman opened fire on Republicans practicing for a congressional baseball game, sources told ABC News.

The House majority whip and Louisiana Republican was rushed to a Washington trauma center Wednesday with fractured bones and internal organ damage, according to hospital officials, and was listed in critical condition.

Three others, including a Capitol Police officer, were also shot Wednesday morning at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia. The gunman was shot and killed at the scene after police returned fire.

Shawn Thew/EPA

What happened

At least 21 members of Congress were at the Wednesday morning baseball practice, including Scalise and two U.S. senators.

Staffers and family members were also there. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, said his 10-year-old son was there when the shooting broke out. Barton was emotional at a news conference Wednesday, saying his son had “25 dads” because everyone looked out for him when the gunfire began.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said he was in the batting cage when he heard an isolated gunshot.

Then “a burst of gunfire” erupted, Paul told ABC News. “At that point, people were dropping. Scalise was shot around second base and he crawled a little bit into the outfield.”

Joshua Roberts/Reuters

Paul said Scalise’s security detail exchanged fire with the active shooter.

“These guys were real heroes and I think without them everybody probably would have been killed,” Paul said. “Steve Scalise is in leadership and that’s the only reason there was security detail there at all. I’m sad that he was shot but he actually saved everybody’s life by being there.”‘

Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, a medical doctor and Iraq War veteran, told Fox News he administered aid to Scalise after the shooting stopped, putting a compression on his wound.

“I felt I was back in Iraq but without my weapon,” he said.

Wenstrup said Scalise “was as brave as he could possibly be. He said, ‘I’m thirsty.’ Obviously, you don’t know how much fluid he may be losing internally.”

The victims

Scalise is in critical condition after he and three others were shot as lawmakers practiced for the annual charity congressional baseball game set to take place today.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, file

He is suffering from a rifle shot to the left hip and severe blood loss, according to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, which said Wednesday night that he required “immediate surgery” and multiple units of blood for a transfusion.

Scalise went into surgery again this morning at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, sources told ABC News.

Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mika, a former college baseball and football player who works for Tyson Foods and was helping with practice, is in critical condition, his family said today.

Tyson Foods

“Matt was shot multiple times in his chest and arm and suffered massive trauma,” his family said today. “He requires assistance to breathe and will need additional surgeries. Matt has been alert, conscious and communicating through notes.”

Mika’s family said in a statement Wednesday, “While the attack today was a terrible surprise, Matt’s presence on the ball field, helping longtime colleagues and friends was not.”

“He is a very thoughtful, fun-loving person who is competitive and loyal; all things which contributed to his continued commitment to the Congressional Baseball Game.”

Zack Barth, a legislative correspondent working for Texas Rep. Roger Williams who was helping them prepare for the game, was also shot; he has since been treated and released from the hospital.

Barth’s family spokesperson said a bullet went through his calf and, after he was shot, he saw the gunman aiming at him. Barth then dove for the dugout, where he grabbed a belt to wrap around his leg to stem the blood flow, the family spokesperson said.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., also helped Barth, Williams said.

Zack Barth/Facebook

Williams, who is the team’s coach and injured his leg and ankle diving to safety in the dugout, told reporters this afternoon that even though Barth was bleeding, he continued texting from the dugout, letting people know they needed help.

Crystal Griner, the Capitol officer, was shot in the ankle, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said. The hospital said today Griner is in good condition.

Additionally, two individuals — Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, and a Capitol Police officer — sustained minor secondary injuries.

Williams was emotional at a news conference this afternoon, saying the Capitol police officers prevented what “could have easily been 25 deaths or more.”

Kevin S. Vineys/AP

This evening’s baseball game will go on as scheduled.

The reaction

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at the hospital with flowers Wednesday evening where Trump sat by Scalise’s bedside and met with his wife, Jennifer, as well as Griner and her wife.

Trump tweeted, “Just left hospital. Rep. Steve Scalise, one of the truly great people, is in very tough shape – but he is a real fighter. Pray for Steve!”

Trump said this morning that Scalise’s condition is “much more difficult than people even thought at the time.”

“He’s in some trouble,” Trump said. “But he’s a great fighter and he’s going to be OK, we hope.”

Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

The president said he assured Scalise’s family at the hospital Wednesday night that the nation is sending prayers and he applauded the heroism of Griner.

“Terrific young woman,” he said. “Crystal is one of the two Capitol Police officers who saved so many lives through her heroism, along with Special Agent David Bailey. They ran right into the fire. They ran right into those guns and the bullets and they saved a lot of lives. America salutes both of their courage.”

Trump added, “We had a very, very divided country for many years. And I have a feeling that Steve has made a great sacrifice, but there could be some unity being brought to our country. Let’s hope so.”

House Speaker Paul Ryan said on the House floor Wednesday afternoon, “We are united in our shock. We are united in our anguish and attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”

The alleged assailant

The suspected shooter, later identified as James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Illinois, was killed in a shootout with police. The immediate motive for the shooting has not been fully fleshed out, but Hodgkinson had reportedly expressed strident anti-Republican views on social media and directed particular ire at Trump after he became president.

Hodgkinson was also a one-time volunteer for Bernie Sanders‘ campaign for president last year. Sanders on Wednesday unequivocally repudiated Hodgkinson’s actions and decried his use of violence.

Hodgkinson’s wife told ABC News Wednesday that he had been living in Alexandria for the past two months, had not been working and that he was supposed to return home in the coming days.

St. Clair County Sheriff

The FBI released a “Seeking Information” poster late Wednesday asking the public for any information regarding the suspect. Authorities believe Hodgkinson had been in the Washington, D.C., area since March and living out of a white cargo van.

Police said they were investigating the vehicle, as well as his electronic devices, with hopes of gathering more information about him.

Mark Kern, the former mayor of Belleville, Illinois, told ABC News Wednesday that Hodgkinson was fired from a county contract to remove lead from community buildings in 2003 after he was found rummaging through desks, looking for a check.