Congress Members Injured in Virginia Shooting

One Congressman has been wounded in a mass shooting after a gunman opened fire on a group of GOP lawmakers and aides practicing for a charity baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia, early Wednesday.

House Whip Steve Scalise from Louisiana was shot in the hip and hospitalized, but is expected to survive after Senator Jeff Flake and another congressman rushed out to the field and heroically worked to staunch the bleeding, according to Flake and other lawmakers who witnessed the chaotic, bloody scene.

Two other victims were wounded, as well – including at least one U.S. Capitol Police officer, according to Flake and Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks, who spoke to news media shortly after the shooting.

One of Rep. Roger Williams’ aides was injured in the attack and was being treated at a local hospital in the wake of the shooting, Williams announced in a statement.

Williams confirmed his aide, Zachary Barth’s, injury in a tweet, writing that Barth was shot but is expected to make a full recovery.

“I now can confirm that Zack Barth, who is a legislative correspondent in my office, was shot this morning at baseball practice,” he tweeted.

Barth too confirmed his injury in a Twitter post, writing, “I got shot this morning at the baseball fields but I am in the hospital and okay.”

Rep. Ron DeSantis told ABC that a man he believes may have been the gunman asked him if it were Democrats or Republicans on the field before he started shooting.

The gunman fired up to 50 times with a rifle before he was shot and wounded by Capitol Police, who were on hand, and Alexandria police officers who arrived within three minutes, Flake and Brooks said.

“I think that with absolute certainty nobody would have survived without Capitol Police. Just incredibly brave,” Senator Rand Paul told CNN.

Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said in a press conference that five people, including the gunman, were injured and had been taken to local hospitals.

Some 25 GOP members of Congress were on a high school baseball field practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game, which is scheduled for Thursday night. A tradition since 1909, the charity game features Democratic House members playing Republican House members. The game is scheduled at Nationals Park.

A group of House Democrats gathered to pray for those injured in the shooting, according to Rep. Ruben Kihuen.

Proceeds from ticket sales go to charity. The game’s website describes it as “the only annual partisan showdown beloved by all and enjoyed by thousands. Every year, with a few interruptions, Senate and House members of each party team up to settle scores and solidify friendships off the floor and on the field.”

An Alexandria police spokeswoman confirmed to PEOPLE that officers had responded to a “multiple shooting,” but would not name any victims or confirm that a group of Congress members were attacked. The spokeswoman said victims had been transported to area hospitals.

ALERT: APD investigating multiple shooting 400 block E Monroe St. Suspect believed in custody. Stay from area, let emergency vehicles thru. — Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) June 14, 2017

Police said in a tweet that the suspect is in custody and “not a threat.”

“APD investigating multiple shooting 400 block E Monroe St,” officials wrote. “Suspect believed in custody. Stay from area, let emergency vehicles thru.”

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Brooks told CNN that gunman was behind the dugout when he opened fire. He said the gunman was shot by members of the congressional protective detail.

Reports that my former House colleague @SteveScalise has been shot and others injured as well. Praying for them and their families. https://t.co/w0jI7shHX1 — Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) June 14, 2017

Scalese, after being hit, dragged himself across the field in an attempt to get to cover, Brooks said.

Brooks added that he saw Rep. Gary Palmer being treated at the scene.

As the third-highest ranking House Republican, Scalise has a round-the-clock Capitol Police detail.

Brooks told CNN that without the Capitol Police, “We would have been at the mercy of this shooter, and he had a lot of ammo.”

He added that without the police, “all we would have had was a baseball bat versus a rifle. Those aren’t very good odds.”

Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Jeff Flake and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann were present when the shots rang out and Paul told ABC that Capitol Hill police fired at the suspect.

Paul said he heard the shots from right field and hid behind a tree before running toward a fence. He recalled bullets hitting the ground around him, he said. Paul told ABC that he hopped a fence to escape.

Active shooter situation during this mornings trip to the Y. Terrifying. Am ok. Sheltered in place & under lockdown. pic.twitter.com/iJs6fZpjiK — Joseph Miscavige (@JoeMiscavige) June 14, 2017

Meanwhile, a witness tweeted that the suspect had opened fire on “Congressional members playing basketball” in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood.

The user later tweeted that at least three of the politicians had taken shelter in his home.

Another man shared a photo of a cracked window with a bullet hole, writing, “Active shooter situation during this mornings trip to the Y. Terrifying. Am ok. Sheltered in place & under lockdown.”

The suspect has been described as a white male in his 40s or 50s.

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

In a statement the White House said that Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are aware of the shooting.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol police, first responders, and all others affected.”