Numerous Wisconsin lawmakers continued to offer their thoughts and prayers after a shooting at a congressional baseball practice Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia, that left 5 injured — including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana.
Scalise’s office said in the morning he was in in stable condition after being shot in the hip. But after surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, he was in critical condition.
The shooting happened at around 6 a.m. central time.
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The practice was attended by some Republican members of Congress and their staffers. The suspected gunman, James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Illinois, has died after being taken into custody and receiving treatment for gunshot wounds, President Donald Trump said late morning Wednesday.
Capitol police were on hand because Scalise is a member of Republican leadership.
On Twitter, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, said, “the whole House are with Steve Scalise, the brave Capitol police, staff, and those who were in harm’s way.”
This morning the hearts of the whole House are with @SteveScalise, the brave Capitol police, staff, and all those who were in harm’s way.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) June 14, 2017
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, tweeted he was “praying” for Scalise and “the other victims.”
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, tweeted he was “thinking of” his “colleagues and all the victims who were injured in this senseless act of violence.” And U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, also sent her condolences.
My prayers are with @SteveScalise, Congressional colleagues, staff and Capitol police. Thanks to first responders for their brave response.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) June 14, 2017
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, opened up Wednesday’s Assembly session with a moment of silence to honor those who were wounded in the shooting.
Speaking with reporters before session, Vos said he did not think the shooting called for extra security for state legislators.
“It’s important to note that what happened in Virginia today was obviously not inside the capitol — it was in a public place where all of us want to lead normal lives,” Vos said. “Other speakers around the country have full-time security details. I certainly think I don’t need that. I prefer to be mostly anonymous.”
Vos also said he did not favor restricting access to the state Capitol in the name of security.
“My natural assumption is that the capitol should be as open as we can possibly have it,” Vos said. “That’s why I’ve not supported having armed guards or metal detectors or any of those kinds of things, because I think by and large we have a really good Capitol police force who has provided security under the most tense times. So I think the security system we have now works well. I don’t see a reason to change it.”
Vos said police have increased their presence in the Capitol building after the shooting.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017 to include comments from Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.
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