The bravery and quick response of U.S. Capitol Police prevented Wednesday's shooting at a Northern Virginia baseball field from becoming a "massacre", congressmen at the center of the terrifying ordeal said.
Rand Paul described Wednesday how he was just outside the perimeter of the baseball field when the first shot rang out - and then seconds later he saw Rep. Steve Scalise shot and wounded.
The assailant has been identified as James T. Hodgkinson.
President Donald Trump praised the "heroic actions" of the Capital Police at the scene.
Paul said it is common for GOP lawmakers to get to the field as early as 6:15 a.m.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana, was shot in the hip.
He said he could see the shooter "way in the distance". "Then I hear another 'blam, ' and I realize there's an active shooter". I Look up and there's a man with a gun.
"Our lives were saved by the Capitol police. Nobody would have survived, "it was a killing field" because nobody had weapons to shoot back".
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Brooks said "Gunman certainly knew who he was targeting- elected officials".
"The only chance we had was the Capitol Police", Paul said. "There's no escaping a guy if he's got several hundred bullets and we've got no weapons and no place to hide".
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who was also present at the practice, recounted the events to "Morning Joe".
"Everyone probably would have died" without the presence of Capitol Police, who ere there because Scalise is a member of leadership.
The shooter asked the group if they were Republicans or Democrats before opening fire from the third base dugout as the men practiced batting.
Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Sc., and Rep. Ron Desantis, R-Fl., were getting into Duncan's auto when the man asked them about the political affiliation.
Republican Senator Mo Brooks said there were a number of congressmen and congressional staffers lying on the ground and at least one of them was wounded. "He said, "OK, thanks" and turned around". The Alabama Republican said he used his belt as a tourniquet to help one of the victims.
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