Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise has been upgraded to ‘critical’ after undergoing emergency surgery at an area hospital.
He was one of four individuals shot by a lone gunman during practice for an annual congressional baseball game.
The White House has announced that the gunman was killed on the scene by undercover Capitol Police who were serving as security detail for Scalise, who is a member of leadership.
Sen. Rand Paul, also in attendance, reported that Scalise’s security detail prevented a massacre of innocent people including staffers and children who were unarmed and ‘sitting ducks’ in the park.
Here’s more from Fox News…
Lawmakers are crediting Capitol Police with acting quickly to prevent the shooting at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday from becoming “a massacre.”
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot in the hip by a gunman who opened fire at the practice in Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday morning. Two Capitol Police officers and an aide also were injured, a security source said.
Scalise’s office said the lawmaker is undergoing surgery and in stable condition, adding: “He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues.”
Scalise is the first member of Congress to be shot since Gabby Giffords in 2011. As a member of leadership, he has a security detail — and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., credited police with preventing an even bigger tragedy.
“Without Capitol Hill police, it would have been a massacre — we had no defense—we had no defense at all,” Paul said on “Fox & Friends” just minutes after the incident. “I think we’re lucky Scalise was there because this was his security detail and without them, it would have been a massacre.”
Paul described the scene as “sort of a killing field,” and said there were more than 50 shots of gunfire which lasted for at least 10 minutes. Paul described the sounds of the gunfire as possibly coming from an “AR-15” style rifle. The actual model gun used by the shooter has yet to be confirmed.
“We were like sitting ducks,” Paul said, describing his location during the shooting as inside the batting cages, which was approximately 50 yards from second base where Scalise was.
“We were so lucky Capitol Hill Police were there,” Paul said. “They saved our lives.”
Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., who was at bat when the shooting started, also said the scene “would have been a lot worse without Steve Scalise’s detail.” He said they “immediately” began returning fire.
