Flurry of posting on Islamic State-linked Telegram channels re shooting that injured @SteveScalise. Note: IS has not claimed responsibility
The Islamic State has not claimed responsibility for today’s shooting of GOP Congresspeople, including Steve Scalise, but is currently talking about it online.
A gunman opened fire Wednesday morning at a Northern Virginia baseball field where Republican members of Congress were practicing, injuring Representative Steve Scalise and several others.
Scalise, who represents Louisiana’s first district, serves as the Republican Whip, the No. 3 position in the party’s House leadership. Scalise is reported to be in stable condition after being shot in the hip. The gunman, who has not been identified, is in custody.
The shooting took place at a field in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Scalise and other members of Congress were practicing for the annual Congressional baseball game, which pits Republicans against Democrats.
Michael Brown, the chief of the Alexandria Police Department, said in a media briefing that five people were transported from the field with injuries. He did not divulge their identities. Brown said the shooting took place at 7:09 a.m. Wednesday.
Senator Rand Paul, who was at the practice, told MSNBC’s Morning Joe that he was in the batting cage down the right-field line at the field when he heard a “rapid succession of shots” Morning Joe. Paul added that he thinks he heard the gunman reload.
Paul said the perpetrator was wearing a blue shirt and the rifle sounded like an AR15. The shooter has been described as “Anglo-Saxon.”
According to reports, the shooter is down but caused multiple injuries, including Scalise and an aide. Scalise was shot in the hip, according to Fox News. The aide was shot in the chest.
Mo Brooks, U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 5th congressional district, used his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding for Scalise, according to a report. Brooks is running for the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions.
Two Capitol police officers were also shot, according to WUSA9. Congressman Gary Palmer was also injured.
NBC is reporting that Scalise and the policemen are in stable condition.