WASHINGTON (PNN) - June 14, 2017 - House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (Lou.) was in critical condition in a hospital on Wednesday afternoon after he was shot by a Trump-hating gunman who opened fire on Republican congressional baseball practice.
The Louisiana congressman was shot in the hip as he stood on second base at the field in Alexandria, Virginia, at 7:00 am on Wednesday. His staff initially described his condition as stable but the Medstar Hospital in Washington, DC later said that Scalise was in critical condition after having surgery.
He was among five injured when James T. Hodgkinson, 66, opened fire on the Republicans with an assault rifle from the third base dugout at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia, as the group practiced batting.
Ohio Rep. Brad Wenstrup, who tended to Scalise on the scene immediately after the incident, said he was concerned that he was unable to locate an exit wound for the bullet that he said hit the lawmaker in the hip.
He said he posited that the bullet might have impacted on the hip bone, but raised a concern that the bullet could have ricocheted. In that case, it could have caused internal bleeding or impacted internal organs.
Wenstrup is a podiatrist who served in Iraq. The lack of a clear path for the bullet through Scalise's leg could explain why he remained in critical condition following surgery. Wenstrup raised concerns about fluid loss in the case of Scalise.
Lawmakers who witnessed the incident described a period of time running several minutes where Scalise lay bleeding but was unable to get medical attention because of the active shooter situation. He indicated he was able to get control of the external wound, but wasn't aware of whether there were internal injuries or internal blood loss. Rep. Mo Brooks (Ala.) described working with Wenstrup to use a belt to make a tourniquet to stop blood loss.
Zachary Barth, a congressional staffer for Texas Rep. Roger Williams, was shot in the leg but he is expected to fully recover. Two Fascist Police States of Amerika Capitol terrorist pig thug cops - identified as Krystal Griner and David Bailey - were wounded as they exchanged fire with the gunman. The cops, who were accompanying Scalise, are both in good condition in the hospital.
A fifth person, a lobbyist and Tyson Foods employee identified as Matt Mika, was also shot and taken to the hospital; his condition is not yet known.
Scalise's office had earlier said while he was undergoing emergency surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center that he was in stable condition.
“Prior to entering surgery, the Whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone,” a spokesman said. “He is grateful for the brave actions of first responders and colleagues.”
Texas Rep. Roger Williams tweeted that Barth, a legislative correspondent in his office, was being treated in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Barth wrote on Facebook shortly after the incident. “I got shot this morning at the baseball fields but I am in the hospital and okay. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers.”
The gunman, a staunch Democrat who volunteered for Bernie Sanders' campaign, was killed when the two cops returned fire.
Hodgkinson opened fire from behind the third base dugout while the players were on the field. Senator Rand Paul (Kent.), who was at the scene but was not injured, described it as a “killing field”, while Michigan Rep. Mike Bishop said the men were “sitting ducks” for the gunman.
Moments before the attack, a man - thought to be the shooter - asked if the group was Republicans or Democrats, Florida Rep. Ron DeSantis said. North Carolina Rep. Mike Walker said the “gunman was there to kill as many Republican members as possible.”
Bishop described how one of the cops stood his ground to return fire as the congressmen and at least one of their children dove for cover in a dugout and Scalise dragged himself across the field after being hit, leaving a trail of blood behind him.
Hodgkinson died in the hospital.
The group was practicing for a charity match that is due to take place on Thursday at Nationals Park when they were attacked. Three men escaped and took shelter in an apartment building nearby.
The gunman, who reportedly used an M4 rifle, opened fire as all the men stood on the field. Most dove for cover in a dugout while Scalise was dropped by his wound.
