Fairfax Man Charged In Baseball Bat Attack On 2 Rep. Connolly Staffers: Police

FAIRFAX, VA — A staffer and new intern of Rep. Gerry Connolly were attacked Monday by someone wielding a baseball bat in his City of Fairfax district office. The suspect was identified and charged by police, but a motive for the assault remains unknown.

Connolly (D-Fairfax) said in a statement that a man armed with a bat entered the 10680 Main St. office Monday morning asking for the congressman. Two staffers were struck with the baseball bat, according to U.S. Capitol Police.

The two staffers were taken to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

City of Fairfax Police took the suspect into custody. He was later identified as Xuan Kha Tran Pham, 49, of Fairfax. He faces charges of aggravated malicious wounding and malicious wounding, according to Capitol Police.

About 10:49 a.m. Monday, Pham entered Connolly’s district office. Two Congressional staffers were assaulted with a metal bat and suffered non-life threatening injuries. The congressman was not in the office at the time of the assaults.

Investigators do not have any information that the suspect was known to the Capitol Police.

Connolly later told CNN he was at a food bank ribbon cutting when the attack happened. According to the congressman, the suspect is a constituent in the 11th congressional district and that the victims are a senior aide and an intern who just started the position that day.

"Right now, our focus is on ensuring they are receiving the care they need," Connolly said in a statement about his staffers. "We are incredibly thankful to the City of Fairfax Police Department and emergency medical professionals for their quick response."

Connolly called it "unconscionable and devastating" for an act of violence for office staff who assist constituents. The congressman represents a large share of Fairfax County in the 11th congressional district.

Last month, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger testified about the heightened threat climate across the country. “One of the biggest challenges we face today is dealing with the sheer increase in the number of threats against Members of Congress — approximately 400% over the past 6 years,” Manger said. “Over the course of the last year, the world has continuously changed, becoming more violent and uncertain.”

Ken Reid, the Republican nominee for State Senate District 37 in Fairfax County, called the attacks atrocious.

"This is despicable and there is no place for anyone to do this. I sincerely hope this was not done for political purposes, but whether it is or not, it's atrocious," Reid said.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, released a statement condemning the violence against the Democratic congressman's staff.

"Violence does not belong in our political system and my prayers are with Rep. Gerry Connolly’s staff for a speedy recovery," Youngkin tweeted. "We’ve seen this against our judiciary, we’ve seen this against our legislative branch and it has no place in our Commonwealth."

Bryan Graham, the chair of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, condemned the attack and expressed concern for the injured staffers.

"With polarization and charged rhetoric in the current climate, it is important that we come together to take a strong stance against violence, regardless of political affiliation," said Graham. "We call upon the Fairfax County Republican Committee and the Republican Party of Virginia to join us in condemning this act of violence."

Rep. Don Beyer, a fellow Democratic congressman in Northern Virginia, tweeted, "This is very, very scary. Sending my best wishes to @GerryConnolly and his team, with hopes for swift recoveries of his staffers who were injured in this violent attack. My thanks to the authorities working to keep everyone safe."

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