Clockwise from top left: Crystal Griner, Zack Barth, David Bailey, Matt Mika, and Rep. Steve Scalise.
James Hodgkinson, a Bernie Sanders campaign volunteer from Belleville, Illinois, wounded five people during a rampage that could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the heroics of two Capitol police officers.
Hodgkinson, 66, who had written openly about his hatred for President Donald Trump and expressed anger at Republicans on social media, stormed a congressional baseball practice in Virginia on June 14 and opened fire.
In the end, though, only Hodgkinson would die in the mass shooting. He was shot and killed by Capitol police officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey, who returned fire. Griner’s name was previously given as Krystal Griner, but the Washington Post confirmed her name is spelled Crystal.
Top politicians described a horrific scene as congressmen and their staffers and children scrambled to safety or lay injured on the ground.
Here’s a full list of the victims who were injured in the attack, which appears to have a political motivation because the shooter inquired whether Republicans or Democrats were practicing before turning his gun on them. Photos and more details are being added as they are obtained and learned.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Lousiana)
(Getty)
Scalise is the Majority Whip in the U.S. House. That means that the Congressman from Louisiana is the third most powerful person in the House and, as much, he has continual protection with him. That fact – the presence of the two Capitol police officers – likely prevented a massacre.
Scalise was shot in the hip and undergoing surgery. He was initially listed in satisfactory condition. However, after surgery, Scalise was listed in critical condition.
A video showed the wounded congressman being carried away on a stretcher. Mo Brooks used his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
Video shows House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise taken away on stretcher and into helicopter following shooting at Virginia park.
Scalise’s office said in a statement that the Congressman was undergoing surgery Wednesday morning at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. The statement said Scalise spoke to his wife, Jennifer, on the phone, and was in “good spirits” prior to entering surgery.
“We ask that you keep the Whip and others harmed in this incident in your thoughts and prayers,” the statement said.
You can read more about Scalise here:
David Bailey
(LinkedIn)
David Bailey was named as the other Capitol police officer who responded heroically. He was even credited with tending to the injured Scalise as he himself was injured.
Bailey has worked as a United States Capitol Police Officer for over 9 years, according to LinkedIn. His page says he is, “Responsible for the protection of Members of Congress, Officers of Congress, and their families as expanded by statute to the entire United States, its territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia.”
His LinkedIn page also reveals that Bailey was an administrator at the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Falls Church, Virginia, from 2005 to 2008.
You can read more about Bailey here:
Matt Mika
(LinkedIn)
Matt Mika was also named by Speaker Ryan as one of the victims. Mika is a lobbyist for Tyson Foods and a former Congressional aide.
Mika became a lobbyist in 2009, when he joined the American Meat Institute, according to his LinkedIn page. He was there until 2011, when he joined Tyson. He has been working as a lobbyist for Tyson since January 2011 and is the Director of Government Relations. He describes his job as “handling both state and federal issues, including issues related to the Farm Bill and the Committees on Agriculture.”
He was playing second base and sometimes shortstop.
“Matt Mika, one of the guys who helps us, is here at the hospital,” Rep. Kevin Brady told the Washington Post. “He’s been a big part of the team for a number of years and just a great athlete, helps us frankly at second base and at shortstop. He’s a great guy.”
Mika, who went to college in Michigan, previously worked for Rep. Dave Camp and for Congressman Tim Wahlberg. He was also a staff member on the Agriculture committee.
You can read more about Mika here:
Zack Barth
Zack Barth posted on Facebook that he was shot. He is a staffer for GOP Rep. Roger Williams of Texas.
Zachary Barth, a staffer for GOP Rep. Roger Williams of TX, posted on FB that he was shot but is “okay.” Gave permission to post thru friend
Tim Barth, Zack’s father, posted this on Facebook: “[T]hank goodness for the Police who were at the scene. It could have been so much worse.”
Before working for Williams, Barth worked on the presidential campaign of Jeb Bush. According to Barth’s LinkedIn page, he began as a political and operations intern for Jeb Bush in August 2015. He co-created a correspondence system that was used to track and respond to voter questions.
In January 2016, Barth became a campus coordinator for Jeb Bush, working to get students registered to vote.
You can learn more about Barth here:
Crystal Griner
Crystal Griner, pictured during a 2003 basketball game playing for Hood College. (Photo courtesy of the Frederick News-Post.)
Crystal Griner is one of the two Capitol Police Officers who were shot by the gunman – and who shot him.
.@JeffFlake talking about the female @CapitolPolice officer named Crystal who was wounded. He told me “it’s a tough day.”
Griner suffered non life-threatening injuries, and she was part of Scalise’s security team. Griner is a former Hood College basketball player from Maryland.
“Had they not been there, it would have been a massacre,” Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told MSNBC.