Quote of the Day:
“Both @POTUS & @VP are aware of the developing situation in Virginia. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected.”
— Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary.
The practice transpired at a field in Alexandria, Va.
“BREAKING: Shots fired at congressional baseball practice. Fox reports two agents hit, shooter down… DEVELOPING.” — Christian Datoc, The Daily Caller.
“Rep. Brooks, who witnessed shooting, also says it appears two Capitol Hill police agents were shot.” — David Wright, CNN.
GOP Majority Whip Steve Scalise (La.) was reportedly shot in the hip.
“Dear god. Prayers for Scalise and the unnamed wounded and all those on this terrible scene.” — Seth Mandel, NYP op-ed editor.
“My prayers to @SteveScalise staff, and @CapitolPolice.” — Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).
“My heart is heavy right now. We just said a prayer for our colleagues and are holding to leave Dem baseball practice.” — Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.).
Scalise is reportedly in stable condition
“Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) — a physician — tells me HE TREATED SCALISE at the scene… that Scalise was ‘conscious and okay.'” — Steve Portnoy, CBS News.
Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) went on CNN by phone and described the gunman as “middle aged, not skinny and a little on the chubby side.” When the shooting began, Brooks said he hid in the batting cage behind a plastic panel. He also helped apply a belt as a tourniquet to a staffer’s leg.
IMPORTANT POINT: “Sen. [Rand] Paul says Rep. Scalise ‘saved everybody’s life by being there.’ Only leadership gets security detail.” — T.J. Holmes, ABC News.
Quick thinking… “Sen. Jeff Flake, who was also at the field, says he got Rep. Scalise’s phone and called his wife. Didn’t want her to get the news from TV.” — Holmes.
Motive?
“SC Rep. Jeff Duncan says he believes he talked to shooter in Alexandria. Man asked, ‘Is this a team of republicans or democrats practicing?'” — Rachelle Spence, WSPA7 in Spartanburg, SC.
In the details…
“Rand Paul said staffers were laying down and the shooter was hitting the dirt around them.” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein.
“Rand Paul says on MSNBC he was in the batting cage and saw Scalise shot but moving, dragging himself through the dirt into the outfield.” — Brad Jaffy, NBC News.
“Mo Brooks said he heard ’10 to 20′ rounds from the shooter’s rifle before U.S. Capitol Police started firing back.” — Chris Cillizza, CNN.
Congressman is “a little shook up”
“Please forgive me for not being able to remember all the names of the congressman who were there. I’m a little shook up.” — Rep. Mo Brooks, CNN.
Incident hits close to home
“Yep – that’s our dog park – tons of kids, strollers, etc. that time of morning.” — Lyndsey Flfield, digital, Heritage Foundation.
CNN ‘New Day’ host acts with caution
“Let’s go light on details on where you are, just in case.” — Chris Cuomo during an on-air interview with Rep. Brooks.
Montel Williams’ ‘political director’ dresses down Chris Cuomo
“@ChrisCuomo Chris; the Whip is NOT in the line of Presidential succession… he gets a detail because he’s leadership.” — Jonathan Franks.
Bravery.
“[Rand] Paul says on MSNBC that one Capitol police officer continued protecting the scene after being shot.” — Jonathan Allen, Sidewire.
‘I told you so’ reaction
“I told you and told you. And you did not want to believe that I was right. They want you dead.” — Kurt Schlichter, columnist, Town Hall, LA attorney.
Local podcaster says HE has attended the baseball practice in the past
“I’ve been to practice before to profile a Member & I don’t remember any security, so that makes sense,” — Jamie Weinstein, reacting to the news of why Capitol Police were there.
CNN reporter has been there, too
“Just realizing there’s a soccer field there next to the baseball field. My kid played a tournament on it a few weeks ago. Sickening.” — Kate Bennett, CNN White House correspondent.
Vox News‘s Ezra Klein weighs in on patriotism
“It’s easy to forget what a blessing it is to live in a country where politics rarely leads to violence, and how fragile that blessing is.” — Ezra Klein.
Statement from President Trump
