Scalise After Shooting: 'His Condition Is Critical'

Rep Jeff Duncan of SC said he had just left the practice and encountered the apparent gunman in the parking lot before the shooting.

3 in the House of Representatives Republican leadership, was shot in the hip. A congressional staffer was also injured.

The shooter, identified as a 66-year-old IL man who had vented at Republicans on social media, fired repeatedly at the baseball field in suburban Alexandria, Virginia.

The gunman, identified by a senior USA official as James Hodgkinson from the St Louis suburb of Belleville, Illinois, died of his injuries.

Rep. Steve Scalise, the number three House Republican, underwent surgery at the facility earlier Wednesday for wounds sustained in a shooting, which took place at a baseball practice just outside Washington on Wednesday morning. The statement added he was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone prior to surgery. Williams tweeted Barth was "receiving medical attention but is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery". The agency says the victims are being transported to the hospital.

Democrat Governor Terry McAuliffe called for increased gun control at a press conference Wednesday in response to the shooting.

"The tone of politics has gotten really, really bad", Kinzinger said. "And Mike immediately went out to the field and called everybody into the dugout".

Joe Barton, the Republican team manager, arrived at the US Capitol still wearing his red baseball uniform. "Those who experienced it - it's going to stay with them forever". "Run for cover", Williams heard next. Once they were able, Sen.

The congressional staffer shot during the ambush on a GOP baseball practice Wednesday wasn't thinking about the bullet wound to his calf as he huddled for safety.

Scalise, who was standing at the second base plate, was struck by gunfire and collapsed. He says if those special agents hadn't been there, he believes many could've been killed. "It would have been a massacre without them".

"We had nothing but baseball bats to fight back against a rifle with", Brooks said.

Capitol Police officers who were in Mr Scalise's security detail wounded the gunman, who later died of his injuries, Mr Trump told the nation from the White House. Witnesses said the shooter asked which political party the players belonged to before opening fire.

Congressman Mo Brooks of Alabama said he was working out with about 20-25 other members of Congress when he heard shots.

"The Second Amendment right to bear arms is to ensure that we always have a republic", Brooks said, according to the Washington Examiner. "It continued to fire at different people".

Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the Capitol Hill and regular proceedings were canceled or postponed.

The House made a decision to not hold any votes on legislation Wednesday, and many hearings were delayed.

"I don't know who they were personally because this was part of Whip Scalise's detail, but for the fact that they were there the carnage would have been worse".

"We started off the 11:30 session with a prayer", he said.

The President and first lady remained inside the hospital for about twenty minutes before returning to the White House.

"The heroes are the police officers who attacked the shooter, and in doing so quite probably saved many, many lives".

President Donald Trump said he was "deeply saddened by this tragedy" and was monitoring developments. "He is grateful for the courageous actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues".

"Congressman Scalise is a friend, and a very good friend".

"Our hearts and prayers are with him and his family and all who were involved in this tragic incident".

Identifying the officers as David Bailey and Crystal Griner, House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi offered their thanks to the pair and the entire Capitol Police. Neither was at the practice.

Lobbyist Matt Mika also was wounded in Wednesday's shooting. Gabby Giffords was shot in January 2011. Giffords was shot in the head by Jared Lee Loughner at a "Congress On Your Corner" event at a Tucson grocery store.

Authorities said five people were taken to hospitals, including Hodgkinson.