Scalise In Critical Condition After Virginia Shooting

President Donald Trump said Hodgkinson has died from his injuries.

Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who was at the scene, said several people were shot but that Scalise was the only House member wounded.

The man, identified earlier as James T Hodgkinson of IL, was shot by law enforcement after opening fire on Republican Congressmen while they were practising for a charity baseball game on Wednesday morning (Wednesday night NZ Time).

The shooter, identified as James T. Hodgkinson, died in custody as a result of wounds he suffered during the incident.

3 Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, was shot in the hip and was receiving care at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, his office said.Scalise was out of surgery and "doing well", according to an ABC News affiliate. "The whip was in good spirits and spoke to his wife by phone", the statement read.

Trump and lawmakers touted the "heroism" of Capitol Police officers, and said their presence prevented what would have been a "massacre".

The shooting took place at a practice for the GOP congressional baseball team. Law enforcement officials are still investigating the motive behind the shooting.

He said congressmen Chuck Fleischmann, of Tennessee, Ron DeSantis, of Florida, and Jeff Duncan, of SC, were among 15-25 other lawmakers at the game. He is expected to make a full recovery. The officers did not sustain life-threatening injuries and are in good condition, according to Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa.

Filous said she saw the shooter hit a uniformed law enforcement officer, who she said was later evacuated by helicopter. "It's really raw at this moment", Slater said. The location of the practice field and the fact that members of Congress were using it was well known in the area, Brooks said. It was not immediately clear whether it would go on as scheduled.

The charity ballgame, played off and on since 1909, pits Democrats against Republicans in a friendly rivalry.

About 25 senators and congressmen were at the practice, according to Senator Jeff Flake who told reporters some 50 shots rang out in the exchange of fire between the gunman and the lawmakers' security detail, at around 6.30am (1030 GMT, 6.30pm).

Rep. Brad Wenstrop, a GOP Congressman from Cincinnati, rushed to Scalise's aid from where he and several other colleagues had taken cover in a dugout. Once they were able, Sen.

Brooks said the Scalise "crawled into the outfield, leaving a trail of blood". Scalise remained coherent throughout.

"This hatefulness that we see in this country today over policy differences has got to stop", he said.

Brooks said he and others in the dugout aided a wounded staffer until officers began firing back at the shooter.

Barton said the shooting lasted 5-10 minutes, and there were dozens if not hundreds of shots fired. She said the officer had gotten out of a parked vehicle, drawn a handgun and shouted something to the gunman, who then fired. "It continued to fire at different people". The House canceled proceedings for the day. Ryan added that he is "awed by the tremendous bravery of the Capitol Police". Most mornings, I am in the gym with Steve.

U.S. Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, R-Ind., released a statement after being briefed by the House of Representatives Sergeant at Arms.

In a statement earlier, Mr. Trump said he and Vice President Mike Pence were monitoring developments closely.

Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the shooting and said the suspect "apparently volunteered" on his presidential campaign. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. "Thank you for the thoughts and prayers".

House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted that the "hearts of the whole House" are with Scalise and others who were at the scene. Neither was at the practice. The officers were present because Scalise is a member of the congressional leadership. Gabby Giffords was shot in January 2011.