(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is in stable condition after being shot in the hip Wednesday morning during baseball practice, the Louisiana Congressman’s office said in a statement. He is currently in “stable condition” while undergoing surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
In a statement released a couple of hours after the shooting, Scalise’s office said he was in “good spirits” before the surgery and spoke with his wife over the phone. He also thanked the U.S. Capitol Police for their quick response.
Here is Scalise’s statement:
This morning, at a practice for the Congressional Baseball Game, Whip Scalise was shot in the hip. He was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he is currently undergoing surgery. He is in stable condition.
Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone. He is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues.
We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers.
This office will release additional information regarding the Whip’s condition as appropriate.
Scalise and other Congressional Republicans were practicing for this week’s annual Congressional Baseball Game charity event. Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks said two Capitol Police officers were shot. An aide to Texas Rep. Roger Williams was also shot. Williams’ office confirmed this in a statement on Twitter.
Please keep the member of my staff and all members of the congressional baseball team in your thoughts and prayers
In total, five people were taken to local hospitals, including the suspect. Alexandria Police said that the suspect was in custody and is no longer a threat.
“Nobody would have survived without the Capitol Hill police,” Kentucky Senator Rand Paul told CNN. “It would have been a massacre without them.”
Members of Congress told CNN that Scalise dragged himself 15 yards away from second base after he was shot. After the shooter was stopped, Senator Jeff Flake and Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a doctor, ran to help Scalise. Flake said Scalise was coherent at that time.