Lawmakers react with shock and horror to shooting at congressional baseball practice


Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) briefs members of the media near Eugene Simpson Stadium Park where a gunman opened fire at GOP lawmakers on the baseball field.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle expressed shock and horror after the shooting Wednesday morning at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va., injured several people, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

Republicans and Democrats alike reacted to the shooting on Twitter, expressing their thoughts for the victims and gratitude for law enforcement officers who quickly arrived at the scene.

Republicans lawmakers who were at the practice at the time of the shooting expressed gratitude for the officers’ bravery.

Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congresswoman who was shot in the head at a meeting with constituents outside a grocery store in 2011, said her heart was with her former colleagues and the officers who were injured.


Members of the Massachusetts delegation showed support for their colleagues, too. “You have the strength of the nation w/ you right now,” US Sen. Ed Markey said.

US Sen. Bernie Sanders called for action to “put an end to this violence.”

Five people were taken to area hospitals, including the suspect, according to Alexandria police.

