Courtney Talks About Safety in Wake of Shooting Near Washington

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep, Joe Courtney on Thursday described the past 24 hours in Washington as "strange and disturbing," in the wake of a shooting incident at a congressional baseball team workout.

When asked if Congress were on edge Thursday, Courtney said he did not want to go that far because of "the professionalism of the security staff " and because "these buildings were built for safety."

But, he added, "safety has certainly been the topic of discussion" on Thursday.

Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a member of the Republican baseball team and the House majority whip, was hospitalized Wednesday after a gunman opened fired while Republicans were practicing Wednesday in Alexandria, Virginia, a day before the annual political charity baseball game.

Here is the FBI account of what happened:

At approximately 7:09 a.m. on June 14, the Alexandria Police Department responded to the scene at 400 East Monroe Ave. in Alexandria, VA.

Officers arrived at 7:12 a.m. to shots fired in the vicinity of Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, where members of a congressional baseball team were practicing.

Multiple members of Congress were present on scene; therefore, United States Capitol Police officers were also on scene.

The subject was engaged by law enforcement and shot at approximately 7:14 a.m.

Five individuals were transported by Alexandria EMS, Arlington County EMS, and U.S. Park Police helicopter to local hospitals with gunshot wounds. Those transported include a United States Capitol Police officer who is hospitalized and is reported to be in stable condition, a congressman, one congressional staffer, one lobbyist, and the subject.

A second congressman sustained minor injuries and was also transported by a medic unit.

One additional United States Capitol Police officer was transported to the hospital in a police cruiser for minor injuries and has been released.

The shooter has been identified by law enforcement as James Hodgkinson, age 66, from Belleville, IL. Hodgkinson was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The FBI is actively investigating Hodgkinson, to include his associates, whereabouts, social media impressions, and potential motivations. This is an active investigation that continues to unfold.

The ATF is running a trace on two weapons, to include a rifle and a handgun.

The scene remains an active investigation, where law enforcement, to include the FBI Evidence Response Team, ATF, and Alexandria Police Department, are collecting evidence. In addition, the FBI Springfield and St. Louis Evidence Response Teams are searching the subject’s home in Belleville, Illinois.

Individuals who have information regarding Hodgkinson should call the FBI 24-hour access line at 1-800-CALL-FBI and select option 1.

"These are serious injuries and as facts are getting developed, it seems it could have been far worse," Courtney said. "Steve essentially runs the floor and he runs it well. His door is always open and he even inject humor in the way he interacts with both sides of the aisle. I wish him a speedy recovery."

Courtney praised police and federal security staffers for their responses.

"There were 71 shots fired altogether very close to where Scalise was standing — where Steve got hit," Courtney said. "The security staff was masterful and showed its training and professionalism."

Courtney added, "We feel safe on The Hill because of that and the buildings."

But Courtney is also a friend of Gabrielle Giffords, the former representative from Arizona who was shot outside a Tuscon supermarket in 2011 while meeting with constituents and his thoughts turned to her and the safety of trips outside Washington.

"We thought about what happened to Gabby and what happens now after this. We have discussed safety when we go to our districts," he said. "It's a balancing act ... our jobs are to be accessible to people and not be in a fortress. To do our jobs, we have to be able to hear from people, even spontaneously."

Courtney said police have been "nothing but professional" in his hometown of Vernon, in Enfield where he has a satellite office and in Norwich where is Second District office is located.

"Our discussions have centered around the fact that we want to be safe, but that to do our jobs, we have to be available," he said.

"Will there be more security when we go into our districts? I'm not sure what we might do differently," Courtney said. "I will continue to be active and I trust the staff, but we do have legitimate concerns on what we might be able to do better."

Photo Credit: U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney