Multiple congressman at the scene in Alexandria, Va., said Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., was among those wounded. U.S. Capitol Police officers are being widely praised for helping to stop the attack.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot Wednesday at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, congressional officials say.
Capitol Police said officers who were part of Scalise's security detail returned fire and wounded the shooter, who was taken into custody.
Scalise is the No. 3 House Republican leader. "I think it was not a life-threatening wound".
A congressman from Alabama said in a live television interview that Rep. Desantis was at the practice.
President Donald Trump said he was "deeply saddened by this tragedy" and was monitoring developments.
The shooting occurred at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, where lawmakers and others were gathered for a morning practice. Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said his team was practicing when they heard about the attack on the Republicans.
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Flake estimated that more than 50 shots were fired. "It's an instance where - especially when you know the one person that's been identified Steve Scalise, who I work with on issues, I see nearly daily at the gym - when you know the people it has a personal side to it". The assailant, prepared with "a lot of ammo", fought a gun battle with police before he, too, was shot and later died.
Tim Slater, the Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent in charge, said the shooting was "not an assassination attempt" though he later corrected himself to say that it was "too early to say". She said the officer had gotten out of a parked auto, drawn a handgun and shouted something to the gunman, who then fired.
"I got Steve Scalise's phone and called his wife", Flake said, according to The Hill. "I didn't want her to wake up and hear the news, not know what was going on".
Brooks said the shooter said nothing during the rampage.
The shooting suspect has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill., two federal law enforcement sources confirm to NPR's Carrie Johnson. The New York Times, citing Rep. Mo Brooks, reported that five people were injured.
"We're safe & with police, everyone praying for GOP colleagues, staff & Cap police", Huffman tweeted.
Flake said two members of Scalise's security detail were wounded, and another man was wounded in the chest.
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