Lawmakers Send Messages Of Support After Shots Fired At Congressmen

Kate Abbey-Lambertz
Updated

Lawmakers shared messages of support on Wednesday morning after shots were fired at a group of Republican congressmen at a baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) was shot in the hip, his office said. He was in stable condition and undergoing surgery, according to the statement.

Five people were transported to a local hospital after the shooting, including the suspect, Alexandria police said at press conference.

Members of Congress and other officials have said they are praying for the victims and their families.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) tweeted his appreciation for police and first responders, and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) shared a message from “the whole House”:

President Donald Trump said in an statement that he was monitoring developments closely and offered “thoughts and prayers.” He also tweeted about the incident, calling Scalise “a true friend and patriot.”

First lady Melania Trump also responded.

Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg called the shooting “unthinkable.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Steve Scalise and other shooting victims, who were simply enjoying a baseball practice early this morning,” she wrote on Facebook.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) said he and his wife were “deeply saddened by this horrible act of violence.” In a statement, he praised the bravery of U.S. Capitol Police and first responders.

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Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) condemned the “cowardly outrageously attack on one of our own,” referring to Scalise.

Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nev.) shared a photo of House Democrats praying for their colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), who was at the scene of the shooting, said on Twitter that he was safe, and asked his followers to pray for the victims and their families. Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) said a member of his staff was shot during the practice, and also asked people to keep those who were injured in their thoughts.

Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) shared their condolences as well.

Other politicians continued to share messages of support and prayers throughout the morning, including Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who called the shooting an “unspeakable evil.”

This is a developing story and has been updated throughout.

Also on HuffPost

Police investigate a shooting scene after a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during a baseball practice near Washington in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 2017.
Police investigate a shooting scene after a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress during a baseball practice near Washington in Alexandria, Virginia, on June 14, 2017.
Investigators gather at Eugene Simpson Field. 
Investigators gather at Eugene Simpson Field. 
Police investigate the shooting scene. 
Police investigate the shooting scene. 
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) briefs members of the media near Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) briefs members of the media near Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.
A police officer mans a shooting scene.
A police officer mans a shooting scene.
Police make way for an ambulance.
Police make way for an ambulance.
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), center, and his sons, board the Rayburn subway in the basement of the Capitol. 
Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), center, and his sons, board the Rayburn subway in the basement of the Capitol. 
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) talks to reporters. 
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) talks to reporters. 
People gather near the scene of the shooting.
People gather near the scene of the shooting.
A member of the Alexandria Police runs up the street near the scene.
A member of the Alexandria Police runs up the street near the scene.
Police investigate after the shooting.
Police investigate after the shooting.
A police officer stands near a damaged vehicle.
A police officer stands near a damaged vehicle.
Police tape cordons off the scene.
Police tape cordons off the scene.
Investigators gather near the scene.
Investigators gather near the scene.
Police investigate the scene.
Police investigate the scene.
Alexandria police gather near the crime scene.
Alexandria police gather near the crime scene.
Investigators and emergency personnel gather adjacent to Eugene Simpson Field.
Investigators and emergency personnel gather adjacent to Eugene Simpson Field.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.