In the wake of the early morning shooting that apparently targeted Republican members of Congress as they practiced for a baseball game at a field in Alexandria, Virginia, there's been an outpour of support among politicos on both sides of the aisle.
Eyewitness accounts of the event depict a gunman brandishing a rifle and opening fire on members of Congress, injuring five according to reports, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana), who was shot in the hip and, according to Politico, undergoing surgery as of Wednesday morning.
There is no official word yet on the identity or motive of the shooter, whom police eventually took down after several minutes.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, was quick to issue a statement expressing solidarity with those who were targeted as well as gratitude for the first responders who may have prevented even more bloodshed.
“I am praying for friends, colleagues, congressional staff and Capitol Police, as well as any others who were injured or in danger this morning," read her statement, which was issued through a spokeswoman. "As always, I am also grateful for the rapid response by all first responders who are there for all of us at the toughest times, and whose actions likely saved lives and prevented more injuries."
Castor added that, however terrifying and all-too-common such acts can be, her colleagues should not be deterred from going about their business.
"I was in the Capitol around the time of the shooting, and while we are shocked and saddened by another act of violence, we are determined that it will not deter us in any way from our duties,” she continued.
Among those attending the practice was Florida Congressman Ron DeSantis, an Atlantic Coast Republican. who described a "strange encounter" with an unidentified man who asked what party the team belonged to at the beginning of the practice, though it's unclear whether that person was the shooter.
This article appears in Jun 8-15, 2017.