Steve Scalise Undergoes More Surgery, Improves To Fair Condition

ALEXANDRIA, VA — House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, injured in a shooting at a Republican baseball practice, is out of the intensive care unit. He underwent more surgery Thursday, July 13, for an infection related to his bullet wounds, MedStar Washington Hospital Center said. He has improved to fair condition and will be monitored in case additional operations are needed.

Scalise was the most seriously injured when a gunman opened fire on a practice in Alexandria on June 14. He was shot in the hip and was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

The bullet traveled directly across the other hip in what doctors call a transpelvic gunshot wound. The bullet fragmented and caused significant damage to bones, internal organs and blood vessels, doctors said. He had already undergone operations to control bleeding, manage abdominal injuries and repair broken bones. (Sign up for real time alerts and a newsletter. iPhone users can download the Patch app in the App Store. Plus, like Del Ray Patch on Facebook.)

On June 22, a little more than a week after the shooting, he left the ICU after making good progress. The Louisiana congressman had been readmitted to the intensive care unit at MedStar Washington Hospital Center on July 5 and underwent surgery. The hospital provided an update after surgery on July 6, saying he "tolerated the procedure well."

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told "Fox and Friends" on July 11 that Scalise was better since being moved back to the ICU. McCarthy told the news show doctors had said of the shooting, "It's not if, it's when Steve will get an infection." According to Fox5DC, the infection must be gone before Scalise can be transferred to an in-patient rehabilitation facility.

Capitol Police officers Crystal Griner and David Bailey, legislative aide Zach Barth and lobbyist for Tyson Foods Matt Mika were also injured in the shooting.

After the gunman, James T. Hodgkinson, fired off dozens of shots, the Capitol Police began firing at him, and Alexandria Police joined the exchange of gunfire minutes later. Hodgkinson, who died from his injuries, reportedly posted anti-Trump messages on Facebook, and he apparently targeted Republican lawmakers in the shooting.

This is the first time a federal lawmaker has been shot since 2011, when a gunman opened fire on then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others at a constituent meeting in Tuscon, Arizona. Giffords had no protective detail at the time, and the shooting led to heightened security concerns for members of Congress. Giffords has since become a vocal advocate for gun control.

Patch will continue to provide updates on Scalise's condition and the shooting investigation.

Image via office of Rep. Steve Scalise