U.S. Congressman From Texas Recounts Horror Of Baseball Field Shooting Outside D.C.

AUSTIN, TX — At times emotional, U.S. Rep. Roger Williams on Wednesday provided a harrowing account of moments that seemed interminable as a gunman opened fire at a Virginia baseball field where he and his colleagues had gathered for batting practice.

Walking on crutches, the lawmaker representing Austin in Washington, D.C. escaped being shot but injured his legs and ankle as he dove into a dugout to evade bullets fired by a transient who had expressed disenchantment with conservative politics.

His aide wasn't so fortunate as he was shot in the leg during the incident, although he's expected to make a complete recovery after being treated for his injuries. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise bore the brunt of the shooting, and was listed in critical condition after undergoing surgery after being shot around his hip area.

"There will be those who will ask what's wrong with America, but today we saw what's right with America," Williams told reporters during a Wednesday afternoon press conference. He referred to the two police officers who, were it not for their presence at the stadium where he and others practiced for an inter-party game on Thursday, a massacre would've resulted, he said.

"There could've easily been 25 deaths or more today," Williams said, his speech at times halting as if still in shock from what he had just hours before experienced. "The thin blue line held today, and law enforcement officials everywhere should be proud and every American should be proud that America is still the kind of country that produces heroes."

Related story: Staffer For Austin Congressman Shot Outside D.C. During Baseball Batting Practice

Five people were shot at the Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Va, just outside Washington, D.C., early Wednesday morning by the disgruntled gunman. The lawmakers had taken to the field for some practice prior to a game against Democrats Thursday—an annual spectator event benefiting charitable causes.

Diving into the dugout with Williams to escape the bullets was his legislative correspondence aide, Zack Barth, who was shot in the leg. Barth is a Houston native who graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015.

At the press conference in Washington, Williams said he was a mere 20 yards from the gunman. Williams said he initially believed the first gunshot to be a car backfire, a notion of which he was quickly disabused after a following volley of bullets.

"It seemed like it went forever," Williams said. "They say 60 shots were fired. They saved all of us out there. We had no arms; all we had was bats. We were sitting ducks."

One of the officers who ultimately neutralized the gunman was shot herself, but her injury is not life-threatening. Estimating his young aide's age at 23 or 24, Williams said Barth was busy texting people to alert them of his injury even while others were trying to control his bleeding.

Despite the trauma endured, Williams—whose athletic prowess propelled him to the coach's role for the GOP team—vowed there would still be a ball game on Thursday.

"This is a game that's been going on for 100 years, and it's for charity," Williams said. "Some of us are on the injured reserve list now, but we need to play. Breakfast is cancelled, but we'll get there earlier tomorrow night, start with a prayer service and then play baseball."

Also fueling his resolve to participate in Thursday's game—"I'll be the one in crutches coaching third base," he joked—is to send a message to those who would wreak harm: "This is America, the greatest country in the world. If you punch us, we will punch you back."

>>> Pictured, police and emergency personnel near the shooting scene of a Congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)