congressman shot at baseball game
The incident you’re referring to occurred on June 14, 2017, during a practice session for the Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Virginia. Here are the details:
The Shooting Incident
- Location: Simpson Field in Alexandria, Virginia.
- Participants: Republican members of Congress and their staff were practicing for the annual Congressional Baseball Game, a bipartisan event.
- Shooter: James T. Hodgkinson, a 66-year-old from Illinois, opened fire on the players and others at the practice field.
- Victims: Several people were injured in the shooting:
- Steve Scalise: The House Majority Whip at the time, Steve Scalise, was critically wounded. He was shot in the hip and suffered significant internal injuries.
- Others: Four others were injured, including a congressional aide, a lobbyist, and two Capitol Police officers who were part of Scalise’s security detail and engaged the shooter.
Response and Aftermath
- Emergency Response: Capitol Police officers present at the scene returned fire, engaging Hodgkinson and eventually neutralizing him.
- Medical Care: Scalise was rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital Center where he underwent multiple surgeries to stabilize his condition and treat his injuries.
- Support and Solidarity: The incident prompted an outpouring of support and solidarity from across the political spectrum. Lawmakers from both parties condemned the violence and expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
- Impact on the Congressional Baseball Game: Despite the shooting, the annual Congressional Baseball Game proceeded as scheduled the following day. It became a symbol of resilience and unity, with both Democratic and Republican teams coming together in a display of bipartisanship and solidarity.
Recovery and Continued Service
- Steve Scalise: After a lengthy recovery process, Steve Scalise returned to Congress and eventually resumed his duties as House Minority Whip. His recovery and return to public service were widely covered and celebrated as a testament to his resilience and the support he received.
- Legislative Impact: The incident also sparked discussions about security for members of Congress and public officials, although the broader issues surrounding gun violence and political discourse in the United States continued to be debated.
The shooting at the Congressional Baseball Game practice remains a poignant moment in recent political history, highlighting the vulnerability of public officials and the importance of unity in the face of tragedy.
