The annual charity game between Republicans and Democrats was played before a record crowd of 24,959 one day after House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was critically wounded and three others were injured by a gunman James Hodgkinson.
Doctors at MedStar Washington Hospital, where Rep. Scalise is being treated, discussed his condition on Friday saying that they believed he would be in the hospital for a considerable amount of time, possibly weeks.
His doctors indicated Scalise suffered internal wounds and fractured bones, and was due for additional surgery. The attacker, who was shot by Scalise's security detail and later died, was an IL man whose social media postings showed anger at Trump and the Republicans.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans and Democrats joined in a spirited, friendly rivalry Thursday at their annual Congressional Baseball game, many fresh from the penetrating horror of the ballfield shooting rampage a day earlier and all playing in honor of their grievously wounded colleague.
Trump called for unity in remarks at the White House on Wednesday, but Sanford and other Republican lawmakers also pointed to the president's own harsh rhetoric. The man calmly asked which party's lawmakers were practicing and Duncan told him they were the Republicans. He said the best of America would shine at the congressional baseball game on Thursday night.
The shooting occurred at a popular park and baseball complex in Alexandria, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, where Republican lawmakers and others were gathered for a morning practice about 7 a.m.
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The FBI said it was investigating the shooter's "activities and social media impressions" in the months leading up to the attack.
Scalise, 51, was in critical condition after being shot in the hip. The Democratic side won in a blowout, but the game was played in Scalise's honor with lawmakers of both parties dressed in purple in recognition of Scalise's Louisiana State University affiliation.
"It is clear to me, based on various eyewitness accounts, that without these two heroes, Agent Bailey and Agent Griner, many lives would have been lost", said Ryan, who got a standing ovation in the House chamber. The hospital did not immediately provide an update, but lawmakers were informed at a meeting Thursday morning that Scalise was in surgery. The assailant had nursed grievances against President Donald Trump and the GOP - and was shot by police and later died. There were reports of death threats being called in to congressional Democrats and Republicans alike. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation and did so only on condition of anonymity.
Capitol Police Special Agent David Bailey, who was wounded in yesterday's shooting, throws the first pitch during the Congressional Baseball Game between Democrats and Republicans at Nationals Stadium June 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. "He was hit by a high-power bullet from a rifle shot by a wacko".
The inexcusable action by a deranged person was a despicable shot at our country and what it stands for, and what we have become - just as it was when Gabby Giffords, a Democratic congresswoman, was gunned down by another crazed individual in 2011.
While top lawmakers, including Scalise, have security details, others do not and they regularly appear in public without protection.
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