Republican members of Congress had gathered at a baseball field in Alexandria to practice for the annual Congressional Baseball Game scheduled for June 15th. This charity game, which pits Democrats and Republicans against each other, has been a tradition since 1909. Horrifically, during practice, a gunman opened fire.

#BREAKING Shooting at Congressional baseball practice. Scalise hit. Other staffers hit. Gunmen with rifle

— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) June 14, 2017

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) was near second base when the gunman shot him in the hip.

People heard him scream and some saw him trying to drag himself to safety. He made it about 15 yards before collapsing.

The shooting, according to multiple reports, lasted over 10 minutes and started right at about 7:15 am.

.@RepDeSantis, who was at practice with Rep. Steve Scalise, reveals a man approached him asking if Dems or Republicans were on the field pic.twitter.com/uOx7BdXPkv

— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) June 14, 2017

Whether the shooter was the one Rep. DeSantis encountered or a different person is unclear at this time.  

What is important to note is that NONE of the Congressmen or Senators there were armed. Nor were the staffers. It was only due to the fact that Congressman Scalise and at least one other had a security detail with them, that more weren’t injured or worse, killed. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) was on deck waiting to bat when the shooting started.

There were more reports from others there.

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., estimated there were 50 to 60 people at the practice, including House members, senators and their staffs. “Many have been shot, but a lot like me got bloody running for cover,” he said.

The gunman was described as a bit on the ‘chubby’ side. 

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) subsequently told CNN that the shooter was a white male in his 40s or 50s.

Alexandria police responded within three minutes of the first call and were able to help the Capital police security details surround and take down the shooter.  But not before shooter was able to terrorize and wound several. Senator Rand Paul described what happened.

Sen. Rand Paul describes scene at GOP baseball practice where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot https://t.co/ZHK26G4zSn

— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 14, 2017

Rand Paul said staffers were laying down and the shooter was hitting the dirt around them.

— Sam Stein (@samstein) June 14, 2017

Rand Paul on MSNBC says Scalise being there likely saved everyone because his presence (he's leadership) meant Capitol Police were there

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) June 14, 2017

Horribly, while all this was going on, Congressman Scalise was laying wounded in the field.

Sen. Jeff Flake: Scalise "laid out there for at least 10 minutes, alone in the field. We couldn't get to him while there were shots." pic.twitter.com/P5Wo8elbNc

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) June 14, 2017

Once the shooter was subdued and in custody, many rushed the field to help care for Congressman Scalise.

https://twitter.com/passionatechica/status/874975610032050177

At the time of this writing via news reports, at least 5 people including Congressmen, staffers and two law enforcement officers were wounded by the gunman.

President Trump and Vice President Pence are monitoring the situation.

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

This from 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

This from the Governor of Louisiana:

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards: "This appears to be an outrageous, cowardly attack on one of our own. Steve Scalise is a friend." pic.twitter.com/7VBAv5wVhF

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 14, 2017

The Congressional Democrats, at their own baseball practice this morning, gathered to pray for all involved.

.@HouseDemocrats praying for our @HouseGOP @SenateGOP baseball colleagues after hearing about the horrific shooting. https://t.co/y2HEUaSuzd pic.twitter.com/6HBrlnxtey

— Rep. Ruben J. Kihuen (@RepKihuen) June 14, 2017

Thankfully, due to the quick resolution of the situation and the aid rendered by a former combat surgeon now Congressman, Majority Whip Scalise is in stable condition.

Statement from office of Rep Steve Scalise R-LA pic.twitter.com/cZ1baVoYwk

— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) June 14, 2017

As the day unfolds and more information becomes available, Victory Girls will update our readers.

Our prayers go out to all who were shot this morning and we are grateful to the first responders who came to their aid.