World News

By EMILY SHAPIRO

A gunman opened fire on members of Congress practicing for a charity baseball game this morning at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, injuring Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, and others.

At least five people were injured, including Scalise, the House majority whip. A senior member of GOP leadership told ABC News that Scalise “was hit in the hip and should be OK.”

Alexandria police said that five people were transported to local hospitals, including the suspect. Police did not release the suspect’s identity. A law enforcement source said the suspect was taken to George Washington University Hospital and there was no information on a motive.

PHOTO: Police and emergency personnel near the scene in Alexandria, Va., June 14, 2017.Cliff Owen/AP Photo
Police and emergency personnel near the scene in Alexandria, Va., June 14, 2017.

PHOTO: Investigators gather near the scene where fires were shot near where congressmen were gathered, June 14, 2017 in Alexandria, Va. Alex Wong/Getty Images
Investigators gather near the scene where fires were shot near where congressmen were gathered, June 14, 2017 in Alexandria, Va.
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The shooting took place in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, about 7 miles away from the White House in Washington, D.C., where a number of members of Congress were practicing for the annual charity congressional baseball game set for tomorrow. Only Republican members of Congress were at this practice; Democrats practiced separately earlier in the morning.

Witness Ben Childers told ABC News’ “Good Morning America” he was in his apartment when he heard gunshots and he said he saw congressional members running off a baseball field.

“There were three members that were kind of headed over toward our apartment, so we ran down and got them into our apartment so they could shelter in place. They also said that Steve Scalise had been shot and was on the ground on the baseball field,” Childs said.

PHOTO: A man receives medical attention from first responders on the scene following a shooting in Alexandria, Va., June 14, 2017.Michael Reynolds/EPA
A man receives medical attention from first responders on the scene following a shooting in Alexandria, Va., June 14, 2017.

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, told CNN, “I was on deck about to hit batting practice on the third base side and I hear, ‘Bam.’ And I look around and behind third base … I see a rifle. and I see a little bit of a body.

“At the same time I hear Steve Scalise over near second base scream,” Brooks added. “He was shot.”

PHOTO: House Majority Whip. Steve Scalise speaks to the media, May 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C.Mark Wilson/Getty Images
House Majority Whip. Steve Scalise speaks to the media, May 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Brooks said he took off his belt and he and another congressman applied a tourniquet to try to slow down the bleeding.

Brooks said a security detail shot back at the active shooter. Brooks estimated that 50 to 100 shots were fired.

A staff member working for Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, was among those shot, according to a statement from Williams’ office.

Williams’ office said the armed gunman arrived at the baseball practice, opening fire at about 7 a.m. Williams’ office added the Republican baseball team holds practice every morning at 6:30 a.m. ET at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park and that Williams is the team’s coach.

Besides Brooks, Williams and Scalise, other Republican members of Congress at the scene were: Rand Paul of Kentucky, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee, Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, Joe Barton of Texas, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Steven Palazzo of Mississippi and Steve Pearce of New Mexico.

PHOTO: A shattered window near the scene where shots were fired in Alexandria, Va. where members of Congress were gatheredJoeMiscavige/Twitter
A shattered window near the scene where shots were fired in Alexandria, Va. where members of Congress were gathered
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PHOTO: Map showing location of Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, D.C. where shots were fired near where congressmen were gathered, June 14, 2017. ABC News
Map showing location of Alexandria, Virginia and Washington, D.C. where shots were fired near where congressmen were gathered, June 14, 2017.
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The FBI responded to the scene.

PHOTO: A shattered window near the scene where shots were fired in Alexandria, Va. where members of Congress were gatheredJoeMiscavige/Twitter
A shattered window near the scene where shots were fired in Alexandria, Va. where members of Congress were gathered
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President Donald Trump said in a statement, “The Vice President and I are aware of the shooting incident in Virginia and are monitoring developments closely. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders, and all others affected.”

Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2017

Vice President Mike Pence has canceled a speech that was set for this morning.

Gabrielle Giffords, the last member of Congress to be shot, surviving a shooting in 2011, tweeted this morning, “My heart is with my former colleagues, their families; staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day.”

My heart is with my former colleagues, their families & staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) June 14, 2017

ABC News’ Pierre Thomas, Aaron Katersky, Jonathan Karl and Mike Levine contributed to this report.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/police-respond-shooting-virginia-park/story?id=48027277