Bergman told news outlets Wednesday that he knew it was gunfire when the second shot rang out.
Michigan U. S. Rep. Jack Bergman, one of three Michigan Congressmen at the baseball practice where an assailant shot U. S. Rep. Steve Scalise and at least four others, told news outlets Wednesday that he knew it was gunfire when the second shot rang out.
“I was standing by the batting cage when the first round rang out, ” Bergman told ABC News . “Everybody kind of listened, and then another one came following shortly thereafter – we knew it was real, and everybody just started to scramble.”
Bergman, R-Watersmeet, is a retired Marine and a freshman lawmaker in the House who began serving in January. He represents Michigan’s first Congressional district.
Bergman was uninjured. Michigan Congressmen Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, and John Moolenaar, R-Midland, were on scene but were also reported safe following the shooting. A Michigan native, Tyson lobbyist Matt Mika, was shot and is in critical condition.
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Bergman told WDIV that he went into a “low crawl” and got behind the first base dugout after shots were fired. He said he could not see the shooter from where he was.
“You don’t really expect that at a baseball practice at a public field, ” he told WDIV.
On Twitter, Bergman thanked the security forces who were quick to respond and also called for unity as people reflect on the incident.
Dismayed by the instance of violence at practice this a.m. for the Congressional baseball game. Prayers are with @SteveScalise and injured.
I was on scene, but I’m blessed to be safe, and I want to thank the security forces who were so quick to respond. They’re the heroes here.
We’re learning more about motive, but this is a good time to reflect on division and unity. We’re all human. We’re more the same than not.
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