• published: 14 Jun 2017
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White gunman shoots House Majority leader Steve Scalise and at least four others as he fires up to 100 shots in 'targeted attack' on Republicans at Congressional baseball practice White, 'middle-aged' gunman opened fire on the group of politicians at around 6.30am on Wednesday Four people were shot including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise Two of Scalise's security detail and a congressional staffer were also shot The gunman asked the group if they were Republicans or Democrats before opening fire Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks used his belt as a tourniquet to stop the congressional staffer's bleeding The gunman was eventually shot by Capitol Police who exchanged fire President Trump said he was monitoring the situation 'closely' Five people including the House Majority Whip Steve Scalise were shot at a GOP baseball practice on Wednesday morning. Scalise was shot in the hip by the gunman who fired between 50 and 100 rounds from his rifle before being brought down by Capitol Police. The shooter asked the group if they were Republicans or Democrats before opening fire from the third base dugout as the men practiced batting. Two members of Scalise's security detail were also shot and an unnamed congressional staffer was shot in the leg. The shooting took place at around 6.30am at a practice field in Alexandria, Virginia. The politicians were practicing for a charity match which is due to take place on Thursday at Nationals Park. Scroll down for video Five people including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise were shot by a gunman who opened fire on a GOP baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday morning +11 Five people including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise were shot by a gunman who opened fire on a GOP baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, on Wednesday morning Scalise was shot in the hip. He tried to drag himself to safety afterwards, leaving a trail of blood on the baseball field +11 Scalise was shot in the hip. He tried to drag himself to safety afterwards, leaving a trail of blood on the baseball field Republican Rep. Mo Brooks was also there but was not hurt. He described using his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding from the congressional staffer's leg. Speaking to FM Talk 1065 moments after the shooting, he told how the group were practicing batting when he suddenly saw the shooter. 'Suddenly there's this face. I noticed the guy's got a rifle and he's shooting at us,' he said. As he took shelter with others in the group, which also included Rep. Gary Palmer, Brooks said he watched Scalise leave a trail of blood on the field as he tried to crawl to safety. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot in the hip at a congressional baseball practice on Wednesday morning +11 House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot in the hip at a congressional baseball practice on Wednesday morning 'He was dragging his body away from second base to get away from the shooter.' 'He was shot in the hip. I think it was not a life-threatening wound... There was no exit wound I could see.' 'There was a blood trail about 10 to 15 yards long from where he was shot to wear he crawled to right field,' he told CNN. Local residents reported that some of the politicians tried to take shelter in their homes shortly afterwards. Brooks caught a brief glimpse of the shooter and described him as a white, skinny, middle-aged male. Scalise was the only one in the group who had been accompanied by a Capitol Police security detail. Senator Rand Paul, who was also there but was not hurt, said that had they not been there to stop the shooter, all of those targeted would have died 'Had they not been there, it would have been a massacre. As terrible as it is, it could have been a lot worse. 'The Capitol Hill police cannot get enough praise for really saving everyone's life out there,' he said. Paul said it was a 'killing field'. 'He would have shot anybody who ran out.' Some of those hurt were airlifted to hospital while others were taken by ambulance +11 Some of those hurt were airlifted to hospital while others were taken by ambulance One of the men injured at the scene on Wednesday is pictured receiving treatment from EMTs shortly afterwards +11 One of the men injured at the scene on Wednesday is pictured receiving treatment from EMTs shortly afterwards The scene was roped off by police shortly after the shooting on Wednesday morning +11 The scene was roped off by police shortly after the shooting on Wednesday morning The streets surrounding the scene in Alexandria, Virginia were The streets surrounding the scene in Alexandria, Virginia were blocked off early Wednesday as first responders secured the area