The Democrats had reportedly been practicing on a different baseball field when a crazed gunman opened fire at the Republican practice on Wednesday.
A touching photo shows the moment Democrats gathered to pray Wednesday morning after hearing the news of a shooting at the field of their GOP colleagues as they practiced for a charity baseball game.
The 16 House and Senate Democrats in the image tweeted out by Nevada Representative Ruben J. Kihuen had reportedly been practicing on a different baseball field when a crazed gunman opened fire at the Republican practice at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Va.
A response read: “Thank you […] for reminding us we’re all on the same team.”
Republican Congressman Steve Scalise, 51, one of four people shot, is currently in critical condition.
Scalise was shot by a rifle in the pelvis, and the bullet fractured bones, injured internal organs and caused severe bleeding, according to an update from the hospital currently treating him.
He underwent surgery and received blood transfusions when initially transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center in D. C. via Medevac, and will need additional operations.
The gunman was identified by law enforcement officials as James T. Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Ill., who died of injuries incurred during a shootout with police.
The former small business owner once volunteered for Bernie Sanders, and reportedly made known his views against President Trump and the Republican Party.
Two Capitol police officers and a congressional aide were also shot when Senator Jeff Flake told reporters they all heard a “very loud shot, ” and saw the armed gunman by the third base dugout.
After the suspect fired a few more shots, “we knew what it was, ” Flake said.
“We climbed into the dugout and tried to get our own people engaged, ” he said. “Some people were calling 911.”
“Scalise dragged himself after he was shot… 10 or 15 yards into the field… a bit further from the gunman, ” Flake continued.
“When the shooter was down, I ran low out to Steve and started putting pressure on his wound.”
