All seven Connecticut Congress members are safe and sending words of support to House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and the other people who were shot this morning during a Congressional baseball practice at a ballfield in Virginia.
U.S. Representative Elizabeth Esty (D-5th District) said she and her staff members are accounted for.
“We are praying for our GOP friends & colleagues and awaiting updates,” Esty Tweeted.
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U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, who is on the Democratic baseball team, Tweeted his shock after learning about what happened during a baseball practice for congressional Republicans in the quiet Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.
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Murphy also released a statement.
“My heart sank when I heard what happened this morning in Alexandria. We are all pulling for Congressman Scalise, the staff, and the Capitol Police officers who were injured this morning. My heart goes out to all of them, and to everyone involved. I’m so grateful for Capitol Police’s quick response,” Murphy said in a statement. “The congressional baseball game, where Republicans and Democrats get together to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity, is a wonderful event. I look forward to being part of the game every year. For this unhinged individual to have targeted an event that is all about fellowship and comradery makes it all the more tragic.”
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, was also not at the field, according to his staff, and he said his heart goes out to Congressman Scalise.
“My heart goes out to Congressman Scalise, his staff, and the security officials involved in this horrific shooting. I am especially grateful this morning for the swift action of the Capitol Police, who unhesitatingly disregarded danger to themselves in protecting others. I am hopeful we can put aside politics and support all affected.”
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U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Fourth District) said on Twitter that he is horrified by the attack and praying for the people who were injured.
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“I hope and pray for the speedy recovery of all of the victims who were shot this morning and am deeply grateful for the first responders," Himes said in a statement. "On the eve of the Congressional Baseball game, one of the most popular bipartisan traditions in Washington, these attacks have shaken our tight-knit community on the Hill. We will band together and get through this.”
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Third District) Tweeted that she is keeping everyone who was at the baseball practice and their families in her prayers.
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Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, was shot in the hip and is undergoing surgery, according to his office. They said he is in stable condition.
It's not clear exactly how man people were shot, but police and the office of U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) said two U.S. Capitol police officers and an aide to Williams were also shot.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Second District) said his thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was injured this morning.
“All of my thoughts and prayers are with Steve Scalise, the congressional staff members, and the Capitol Police officers who may have been injured in this morning’s horrific act of violence,” Courtney said in a statement. “Steve Scalise is a loyal public servant who has represented his constituents in Louisiana honorably for many years. It is beyond comprehension why anyone would attack other human beings in this way. Like other Americans, I will be monitoring the news this morning and hoping that all of the injured are able to make a swift recovery.”
U.S. Rep. John Larson Tweeted that he and his staff stand in solidarity with Republican colleagues and that they are grateful that the first responders were there and acted so quickly.
The Congressional Baseball Game, a bipartisan tradition that benefits charities in the DC area, was scheduled for Thursday.
The game dates back to 1909, and is one of the most anticipated events of the summer in Washington, DC, with members of Congress sporting the uniforms of their favorite teams as the two parties face off.
Murphy is the only Connecticut member of Congress on either 2017 Congressional baseball team.
