Virginia Congressional Shooting: Steve Scalise Remains In Critical Condition, Will Need More Surgery

U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise remains in critical condition following a shooting during a baseball practice Wednesday where Scalise and other members of the GOP were practicing for a game against their Democratic colleagues.

At a press conference Friday, Dr. Jack Sava, the director of trauma at MedStar Washington, said the Louisiana representative remains in critical condition in the ICU. Scalise underwent an additional surgery on Thursday and will require more surgeries. However, Sava said that doctors were encouraged by the improvement in Scalise's condition over the past 36 hours.

Sava said doctors were able to control the internal bleeding Scalise suffered as a result of the gunshot wound to his left hip. The bullet traveled directly across the other hip, in what doctors call a trans pelvic gunshot wound. It is unclear how long Scalise will remain in the hospital, and once he is discharged he will need time to heal.

Sava was careful when speaking about Scalise's condition but said his risk of death is substantially lower than when he came in to the hospital. He also said doctors expect Scalise to able to walk and run once he recovers.

Asked whether Scalise had been conscious at all since he arrived at the hospital, Sava said the congressman has been sedated but doctors were able to turn down the sedation enough for him to respond to his family. Sava did not go into detail about whether Scalise understood what he was going through but said doctors were happy to see that he is responding. Doctors say Scalise's next surgery will likely be within 48 hours.

Sava also provided an update on the Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner who suffered a gunshot wound to her ankle. Griner is in good condition and in good spirits at the hospital.

Brett Horton, Scalise's chief of staff, read a brief statement to reporters on Friday on behalf of Scalise's wife, Jennifer Scalise. She thanked everyone for the outpouring of support that came from Louisiana and beyond.

Along with Griner and Scalise, a congressional staffer, a second police officer and a lobbyist for Tyson Foods were injured in the shooting on Wednesday. The lone gunman was identified as James Hodgkinson, of Illinois. After the gunman fired off dozens of shots, the Capitol Police began firing at the gunman. Hodgkinson later died due to his injuries. Hodgkinson reportedly posted anti-Trump messages on Facebook and he apparently targeted Republican lawmakers in the shooting.

Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina told reporters that the suspect asked him in the parking lot before the shooting if the team practicing was the Democratic or Republican baseball team. Duncan told the man it was the GOP team on the field.

Watch: Scalise Is Still In Critical Condition, But Doctors Are Optimistic

Patch will update this report.

Photo: Members of the Republican and Democratic congressional baseball teams gather for a bipartisan prayer before the start of the Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Park on June 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. U.S. House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is in critical condition following a shooting yesterday during a Republican congressional baseball team practice. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)