Members of Congress, political world react to Alexandria shooting
Following reports of a shooting at an Alexandria, Virginia YMCA baseball field being used for practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity.
The shooting took place in the dugout at a field used for baseball practice shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning. The injured include House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, at least two Capitol Hill police officers, the gunman, and at least one congressional staffer. His wounds were not believed to be life-threatening. A suspect is also reportedly in custody.
A source said Democratic lawmakers were practicing at their own field miles away when they heard about the shooting. They immediately stopped and prayed together.
The annual charity game is scheduled for Thursday, and Republican members were set to play against their Democratic colleagues at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.
Reaction from both sides of the political aisle have been pouring in after the shooting. Here is some of the reaction.
President Donald Trump:
"The Vice President and I are aware of the shooting incident in Virginia and are monitoring developments closely. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders, and all others affected." The president also tweeted about Scalise.
Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2017
First Lady Melania Trump:
Thank you to the first responders who rushed in to help protect those who were hurt in Alexandria, VA. My thoughts & prayers to everyone!
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 14, 2017
Ivanka Trump:
Speaking at a workforce development roundtable event at the White House, the senior adviser and eldest Trump daughter said she was "offering our thoughts and prayers to Congressman Scalise and all of the victims in today's tragic events." She added, "We are grateful for their service and their dedication to this country. And thank you everyone for traveling here to be with us today. My father said this morning it is times like these we must all work together for our country, and we appreciate you doing just that."
Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas:
Williams , who was at the scene of the shooting, has been the head coach for the Republican team since he first joined Congress in 2013. A Williams staffer was reportedly shot during the incident.
Please keep the member of my staff and all members of the congressional baseball team in your thoughts and prayers pic.twitter.com/wH4b6wXQhs
— Rep. Roger Williams (@RepRWilliams) June 14, 2017
Gov. Terry McAullife, D-Virginia:
In a statement following the shooting, McAullife thanked the US Capitol Police and local first responders for their swift action in stopping the gunman and treating the Congressmen.
Below is the Governor's statement on this morning's shooting in Alexandria: pic.twitter.com/GqRB6Pxl6f
— Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) June 14, 2017
Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-South Carolina:
"The world changed a little bit for us as members" Duncan told reporters, recalling his interaction with a person who had reportedly asked Duncan, who was leaving practice at the time, if there were Republicans or Democrats practicing on the field Wednesday morning.
MORE: “I did have an interaction with someone...who asked me if the team practicing was Democrat or Republican team,” Sen. Duncan says pic.twitter.com/7i4cM14XKk
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 14, 2017
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky:
Speaking on the Senate floor, McConnell said the Senate will embrace the spirit of the bipartisan congressional baseball game "as we come together in expressing both our concern and our gratitude."
We're concerned for all those injured in #Alexandria. We'll keep them in our prayers & continue to send them every wish for quick a recovery pic.twitter.com/9lWTIedFvR
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) June 14, 2017
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky:
Paul was present during the shooting, saying he is now "shaken but unharmed." He added, "Many people likely would have died this morning if not for the bravery of the Capitol Police. My thanks to them are inadequate but heartfelt. They never hesitated to put their lives on the line to save everyone. Please pray for those who were injured."
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont:
Our prayers go out for a full recovery of Rep. Scalise, the congressional aides and police who were injured. We’ve got to stop the violence.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 14, 2017
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut:
We are all pulling for you @SteveScalise. My heart is with you, the Capitol Police, and everyone who was on the scene.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 14, 2017
Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California:
This is a tragic moment for their families, loved ones, and the entire community on Capitol Hill.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) June 14, 2017
Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Georgia:
"I was on the field, but I'm okay. This was a senseless act of evil. Please pray for those who were shot and their families."
Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Florida:
Rooney, a member who had just left to drop off his children at school , offered words of support to Scalise on CBS News Wednesday morning, saying, "I love you man. I'm sorry I wasn't there with you."
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin:
This morning the hearts of the whole House are with @SteveScalise, the brave Capitol police, staff, and all those who were in harm's way.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) June 14, 2017
Vice President Mike Pence:
Karen & I are praying for @SteveScalise, the Capitol Police, & all hurt for a speedy recovery. Our hearts are with them & their loved ones.
— Vice President Pence (@VP) June 14, 2017
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri:
Unspeakable evil. Pray that Rep Scalise, police officers and everyone else will be ok.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) June 14, 2017
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York:
Saddened by news of the shooting in VA this am. Thoughts & prayers for Rep @SteveScalise & others injured & hope for a speedy recovery.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 14, 2017
Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland:
I am monitoring reports of the situation in Virginia. Thinking of my friend, @SteveScalise, and his staff.
— Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) June 14, 2017
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California:
"This morning, the U.S. Congress suffered a despicable and cowardly attack. My thoughts and prayers are with Whip Steve Scalise and the others wounded, Capitol Police and staff, and their families. We are profoundly grateful for the heroism of the Capitol Police, whose bravery under fire undoubtedly saved countless lives. On days like today, there are no Democrats or Republicans, only Americans united in our hopes and prayers for the wounded."
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson:
At the top of his opening remarks at a budget hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tillerson said, "We were all stunned news of the events that effected one of your colleagues. Scalise is a friend of mine and represents many of my friends in Louisiana. My prayers and those at state are with the injured and law enforcement that responded to the attack."
Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations:
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 14, 2017
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida:
My prayers to @SteveScalise, staff, and @CapitolPolice. 🇺🇸
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 14, 2017
Mayor Muriel Bowser, D- DC:
We are aware of the situation in Alexandria, VA. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and the first responders.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) June 14, 2017
Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords:
Giffords, who, while she was in Congress, was wounded in a mass shooting in 2011 that ended with the deaths of six people. Twelve others were injured. She was the last active member of Congress to be shot before Scalise.
My heart is with my former colleagues, their families & staff, and the US Capitol Police- public servants and heroes today and every day.
— Gabrielle Giffords (@GabbyGiffords) June 14, 2017
Former Vice President Joe Biden:
Jill and I are praying for the victims and their families. Grateful for courage of my former colleagues, first responders & Capitol Police.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 14, 2017
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon:
Horrific. Thoughts & prayers with Rep. @SteveScalise, Capitol police, and staff.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) June 14, 2017
Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pennsylvania:
I am safe. Please pray for @SteveScalise, my colleagues, their staff, and @CapitolPolice involved in this horrific shooting.
— Rep. Lou Barletta (@RepLouBarletta) June 14, 2017
Rep. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana:
This is unspeakable. I am praying for my friend and colleague @SteveScalise and his family.
— John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) June 14, 2017
Rep. Glen Grothman, R-Wisconsin
Thinking of my friend @SteveScalise this morning. Praying for him, Capitol Police and the others injured as this horrific news comes in.
— Rep. Glenn Grothman (@RepGrothman) June 14, 2017
Sen. Bill Nelson, R-Florida:
We are all Americans first, regardless of party. We are all on the same team. And we’re praying for those injured in this heinous attack.
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) June 14, 2017
CBS News' Len Tepper contributed to this report.