Republican Lawmakers Hold First Baseball Practice Since Shooting

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Republican lawmakers on Wednesday braved the cold and rainy morning at Simpson Field to finish what they started before a gunman opened fire during a practice run of the annual Congressional Baseball game.

The event included dozens of Capitol Police officers scattered throughout the property. However, despite the less-than-ideal conditions, the group used the opportunity to exchange laughter and cheers several months after the June 14, 2017, shooting that seriously injured one of their comrades.

The April 25 gathering was the first in the 10 months since "left-wing activist" James Hodgkinson opened fire on 24 Republicans while they practiced for the annual charity baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia, the office of U.S. Rep Barry Loudermilk of Georgia said.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner, Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mika, and staffer Zach Barth were all shot during the ordeal. Each of the victims survived their injuries.

Following Wednesday's practice, a podium was set up along the third base line where a statement was read from Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who couldn’t attend because he was recovering from another medical procedure due to injuries stemming from the shooting. Other lawmakers also made statements and took questions from reporters gathered on the field.

“Today [sic], we got to finish what was tragically interrupted a year ago – our baseball practice,” said Loudermilk, who represents Georgia's 11th Congressional District. “Even though this is a very emotional moment for all of us, it is important for us to be here and show the world that we will not let an act of evil deter us from this worthy cause.”

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

Loudermilk, who is the designated hitter for the team, donned the same gold and black Kennesaw State University jersey he was wearing on the morning of the shooting. When asked by reporters about the uniform, Loudermilk said "wearing the same uniform I had on when the gunman was shooting at me was an important part of finishing the practice I never got to complete.”

Matt Mika, who was shot twice in the attack, brought along to the practice a firefighter and an EMT, two first responders who worked to save his life. Mika was severely wounded that morning, narrowly escaping with his life after he was shot in the chest while running to escape the mayhem. Loudermilk saw Mika lying next to a Capitol Police SUV and stayed with him throughout the gun battle until EMT’s were able to get to the shooting victim.

"Make no mistake about it, this was a politically motivated shooting, and this shooter wanted to kill Republicans," Loudermilk's office said. "Besides the shooter’s social media being littered with hateful messages directed at Republicans, he asked Rep. Jeff Duncan as he left practice early –whether or not those were Republicans on the field."

There were two important factors that day which prevented the shooter from killing dozens: a locked gate at third-base, which prevented the shooter from getting on the field where lawmakers would have been sitting ducks; and the security detail that accompanied Majority Whip Steve Scalise. If not for Scalise being a part of leadership and being at practice, there wouldn’t have been any police at all, Loudermilk's office adds.

The shootout between Hodgkinson and Capitol Police lasted about 7 to 8 minutes before he was shot by the officers responding to the scene. Hodgkinson died from his injuries as he was transported to George Washington University Hospital.

“I especially want to thank the Capitol Police Officers who saved our lives last year, and the ones who protected us today [sic] – and every day – so we could pay tribute to those affected by this horrible incident, and play the game we love,” Loudermilk added.

Photo 1: 2018 Republican Baseball Team

Photo 2: Rep. Loudermilk speaking to the media after practice

Photo 3: Rep. Loudermilk with Matt Mika

Images via Office of U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk