Montco Congressman Responds To Shooting At Congressional Baseball Practice: 'Very Sad'

Montgomery County's U.S. Congressman Brendan Boyle issued a statement shortly after the shooting in Alexandria, Virginia at a Congressional baseball practice that left five people injured, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

"Very sad news this morning," Boyle said. "My staff and I are safe, and we're closely monitoring what is happening as the situation develops. At this point all our thoughts and prayers are with Majority Whip Steve Scalise, his family, the other victims, the Capitol Police and other first responders, as well as all those affected by this morning's shooting."

Meanwhile, Chester County's Rep. Ryan Costello just missed a ride to the field by two minutes. Had he arrived, he would have been playing shortstop, right next to Scalise at second base.

Fellow area Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Patrick Meehan were also not there on Wednesday morning.

The shooter, who has has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, by multiple media outlets, has died.

Capitol Police officers and members of Scalise's protective detail were also injured in the shooting. Scalise, who was shot in the hip, was taken by helicopter from the scene and is out of surgery and is recovering.

Witnesses have estimated at least 50 rounds were fired from what authorities described as an M4 assault weapon and the suspect also carried a handgun as he moved from the outfield to the infield firing. Congressman took cover in the dugouts as the bullets rained down and Capitol Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect before eventually capturing him.

The Congressional baseball game has been played every year since 1909 between Republicans and Democrats in the House.

For full coverage of the shooting see here.

With reporting from Elizabeth Janney

Pictured, police and emergency personnel are seen near the scene where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot during a Congressional baseball practice in Alexandria on Wednesday, June 14. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen).