Senator Rand Paul released a statement this morning on the shooting, saying he was there when it happened but is unharmed. He went on to describe the heroism of the Capitol Police, whose “bravery” no doubt saved lives. Here’s the statement:
My statement on the shooting this AM in Alexandria. pic.twitter.com/jrZxdqTchD
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 14, 2017
Speaking on MSNBC earlier this morning, Senator Rand Paul reportedly said that because Capitol Police were there guarding Congressman Steve Scalise, they were able to neutralize the threat. Otherwise, they were sitting ducks. Paul added that because Scalise is in a leadership position, he’s assigned Capitol Police protection.
Rand Paul on MSNBC says Scalise being there likely saved everyone because his presence (he's leadership) meant Capitol Police were there
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 14, 2017
If they Capitol Police weren't there, “it would have been a massacre,” Rand Paul says https://t.co/8WQYhMpXcF
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 14, 2017
As Faithwire reported earlier:
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) was shot at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday morning.
Scalise, who was hit in the hip, is expected to recover, though multiple aides were reportedly shot as were two Capitol Hill police officers; one individual was reportedly shot in the chest. Five people were transported from the scene, Fox News reported.
Rep. Roger Williams (R-Tex.) was also reportedly taken away on a stretcher, though it is being reported by some outlets that he injured himself dodging gunfire and was not shot.
Text from Mo Brooks, who was at the congressional baseball game practice. pic.twitter.com/gRVj8YjTIU
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) June 14, 2017
CBN News has more: “The shooting apparently happened at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia at an early morning practice for Republican congressmen for the upcoming congressional baseball game.”
Scalise, who is House majority whip, had a security detail with him, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said in an interview after the attack that it would have been a massacre if the congressman didn’t have that protection.
A text message purportedly sent to a reporter by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-S.C.) said that more than 50 shots were fired at the scene in what sources have told CNN appears to be a “deliberate attack.”
Brooks also told media that the shooter appeared to be a white male, though he didn’t get a good look at him; he added that the assailant was silent as he sat behind the third base dugout, CNN reported.
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
“The gun was a semiautomatic,” Brooks said. “It continued to fire at different people. You can imagine, all the people on the field scatter.”
Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) said that he left the baseball practice just before the shooting and that, as he walked toward his car, a man asked if it was Democrats or Republicans practicing. Just minutes later, the rampage began, though it is unclear if the person who asked that purported question had any relation to the crime.
President Donald Trump reacted to news of the shooting on Twitter, saying that Scalise “will fully recover.”
Initial reports indicated that the shooter was dead, though updated accounts say he is in custody and isn’t a threat.
Watch live updates below:
https://www.facebook.com/cbnnews/videos/10159148288960393/
This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.