How Capitol Police Took Out Gunman In Congressional 'Killing Field'

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Lawmakers heaped praise on the work of the Capitol Police Wednesday for preventing what could have become a much more deadly shooting when a gunman began firing at an early morning congressional baseball practice. Rep. Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican and House majority whip, was among those shot, along with a congressional staffer, two capitol police officers and one other victim. Scalise was later reported to be in critical condition.

“Without Capitol Hill police, it would have been a massacre," Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican and one of the lawmakers on the scene, said on Fox News. "We had no defense, we had no defense at all.”

Scalise was shot in the middle of the open field around second base. After he fell to the ground, he tried to drag himself away from the gunfire.

Paul said the scene was like a "killing field." He added: "We were sitting ducks." Paul ducked behind a tree for protection, while other lawmakers took to the dugout for cover. (For more on this and other local Alexandria News stories, subscribe to the Alexandria Patch for daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. You can also subscribe to the White House Patch for national political coverage.)

Capitol Police were assigned as a security detail for Scalise. They had been monitoring the practice in a black SUV beside the field. When the gunman, who has now been identified as James Hodgkinson of Illinois, shot Scalise, the congressman fell to the ground. Because the field was wide open, no one could safely go to his side.

After the gunman fired off dozens of shots, the Capitol Police began firing at the gunman. Hodgkinson later died due to his injuries.

“He shot at Steve Scalise, our second baseman. He hit Steve Scalise,” Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton said. “Scalise’s security detail and the Capitol Hill police immediately returned fire, and Alexandria Police also immediately came and began to return fire. They shot the shooter. The security detail saved a lot of lives because they attacked the shooter.”

Alexandria Shooting: Rep. Scalise, 4 Others Hit By Gunfire

"We're lucky Scalise was there, because this was his security detail," Paul said. "Without them, it would have been a massacre; there would have been no stopping this guy."

The United States Capitol Police are charged with protecting the members of Congress, serving as an analogue of the Secret Service for the legislative branch of the federal government. The department was established in 1828 by an act of Congress. At first, a single officer was in charge of the legislative body's security; now, the department employs around 1,700.

Most members of congress do not have a regular security detail. Scalise, as the third-highest ranking GOP member in the house, receives heightened protection along with Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy and House Speaker Paul Ryan.

"Many lives would've been lost if not for the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman, despite sustaining gunshot wounds during a very, very brutal assault," President Trump said in a statement on the attack. Reports suggest the officers, David Bailey and Crystal Griner, are expected to recover.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi also praised the force in a statement.

“This morning, the U.S. Congress suffered a despicable and cowardly attack. We are profoundly grateful for the heroism of the Capitol Police, whose bravery under fire undoubtedly saved countless lives.”

According to a statement from his office, Scalise "is grateful for the brave actions of U.S. Capitol Police, first responders, and colleagues."

"Today, the USCP embodies the best in American policing and serves as a model in security, urban crime prevention, dignitary protection, specialty response capabilities, and homeland security," the department explains on its website. "We proudly protect the legislative process, the symbol of our democracy, the people who carry out the process, and the millions of visitors who travel here to see democracy in action each day."

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images