Oakland County Native Matt Mika Among Wounded in GOP Shooting

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Oakland County native Matt Mika was among five people shot early Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia. A lobbyist for Tyson Foods, Mika was helping Republican lawmakers get ready for baseball practice when a lone gunman opened fire, striking House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, among others.

The family of Mika told CBS Detroit that he was in critical condition undergoing surgery at George Washington University hospital Wednesday afternoon. He was shot multiple times by who police later identified as James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill.

Mika is a graduate of Adrian College. Prior to Tyson, he worked for U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg and former U.S. Rep. David Camp, both Michigan Republicans, CBS Detroit reported.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, a Texas Republican, confirmed that Mika was helping the Republican team prepare for a game against the Democrats for charity. “Matt Mika, one of the guys who helps us, is here at the hospital,” Brady told the Washington Post. “He’s been a big part of the team for a number of years and just a great athlete, helps us frankly at second base and at shortstop.”

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Mika’s family was traveling to the Washington D.C. area to be with him. “Baseball is one of his great passions, and he has always loved the Congressional team,” the family said in a statement.

Dan Harder, legislative director for U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, told the Detroit News that Mika was shot in the chest. Harder was also helping out at Wednesday’s practice. Bishop, nor any Michigan Republican lawmakers, were hurt in the shooting, which occurred at about 7:15 a.m. Scalise, of Louisiana, was the only member of congress that was shot, the Detroit News reported.

The newspaper interviewed several former classmates of Mika at Southfield Lathrup High School. The consensus is that Mika is good guy, a great baseball player and leader.

"He is very friendly and never saw a stranger growing up," Heather Beers Mitchell told The Detroit News. "(He) included everyone, no matter age, in the neighborhood. Matthew was one we knew would succeed in life."

"He was a leader on the field," Dorne Adams added. "I'm sure he got hit because he was concerned about everyone else's safety."

Politico reported that Mika is well well regarded in food and agricultural policy circles around Washington D.C. In his current role with Tyson, Political wrote that Mika works on a variety of livestock concerns, including fair competition in the meat industry. “Matt has worked for Tyson Foods for more than six years and we’re deeply concerned about him and his family,” Gary Mickelson, a Tyson spokesman, said in a statement.

Photo courtesy of Tyson Foods