Grothman said security would not typically follow a member of Congress to an event like this but because of Scalise's position as House majority whip, he had a detail with him. The assailant, prepared with "a lot of ammo", fought a gun battle with police before he, too, was shot and later died. The popular and gregarious lawmaker is known for his love of baseball and handed out commemorative bats when he secured the No. 3 job of House whip several years ago.
"Right now, our thoughts are with our Republican colleagues, especially one of the staffers that I believe was shot in the chest", Doyle said.
He repeatedly praised the Capitol Police officers and first responders who quickly mobilized to the softball field where the Republican baseball team was practicing ahead of Thursday night's charity game against a Democratic team. He "started doing what you need to do to stop the blood loss", Brooks said.
The annual Congressional Baseball Game is scheduled for June 15 at Nationals Park, pitting members of one party against another.
However, it's "too early to tell" if Republican members of congress were targeted by the gunman, Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Tim Slater said at a press conference. This shooting is an attack on all who serve and on all who participate in our democracy.
The two injured Capitol Police officers are David Bailey and Crystal Griner, according to House Speaker Paul Ryan. Scalise is in critical condition, according to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and the other patient was hospitalized.
Initial reports said that as many as 50 shots had been fired, but Flake said, "50 would be an understatement".
After the gunfire stopped, Sen.
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"It shouldn't take an incident like this to bring us together", Doyle said. "It continued to fire at different people".
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says it is examining two weapons involved in the shooting.
Brooks told CNN that during batting practice he heard a "bam" and then a quick succession of shots and saw the gunman shooting through the holes in a chain link fence.
Witnesses described hearing Scalise "screaming for help" after the gunman shot his security detail.
He said someone had used a belt as a tourniquet on him.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tweeted "our thoughts and prayers are with all affected", shortly after learning about the shooting. Gabby Giffords was shot in January 2011. "People think they can come to our town hall meetings and say just the most obnoxious things and not feel anything personally".
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