One day after a gunman opened fire at a Republican congressional baseball practice, shooting House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and three others, lawmakers took the field Thursday evening at Nationals Park in Washington.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Scalise was in critical condition, according to MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
President Donald Trump spoke at the White House, saying Scalise's condition is more hard than initially thought.
"Many lives would have been lost without the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman despite sustaining gunshot wounds during a very, very brutal assault", Trump said earlier in the day, calling Scalise "a patriot" and "a fighter". He was hit in the left hip, suffering injuries to internal organs, broken bones and severe bleeding, in Thursday's shooting.
Lawmakers who were there described a chaotic scene, with many members of the congressional GOP baseball team huddled in a dugout while Capitol police who were part of Scalise's security detail and local Alexandria police engaged in a shoot-out with Hodgkinson.
"We've had a very, very divided country for many years, and I have a feeling that Steve has made a great sacrifice, but there could be some unity being brought to this country".
Shooter James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill., was shot and died later Wednesday of his wounds in the hospital.
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Vice President Mike Pence visited Scalise and Griner on Thursday morning, officials said.
Both teams will wear Louisiana State University clothing and hats in honor of Scalise, a representative from the state and fan of the school's athletics teams, known as the Tigers.
However, Collins said while it is "extraordinarily safe" within the walls of the Capital compound, it's more unsafe when they are out and about in their own districts.
Lobbyist Matt Mika was shot multiple times and critically injured and remained hospitalised.
The baseball tradition is said to have forged a friendship between Richmond and fellow Louisiana Rep. Scalise.
Democrats and Republicans from the Senate and the House of Representatives traded suits and ties for cleats and caps Thursday at Nationals Park, the home of the United States capital's team. More than $1 million has been raised for Congressional Sports for Charity so far, the game's organizers announced. Republicans and Democrats play one another in annual event, which raises funds for charity.
Once a relatively cozy affair, played at a minor league ballpark in Maryland, the game has gone big time in recent years and has been played at Nationals Park, just a few blocks from the Capitol. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who was at the practice.
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