# Multiple gunshots in Alexandria Virginia at the Congressional Baseball Practice. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930 "2017-06-14T12:05:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/21 "2017-06-14T13:22:43Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > I heard the shooter asked if they were republicans or democrats before he began shooting. > > So he was actually after republicans. That’s surprising to me. Unless you can provide a cite, can we refrain from posting potential bullshit like this? I’m not saying it’s actual bullshit, but I might as well come in and say “I hear the shooter was dressed like a rodeo clown.” ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/22 "2017-06-14T13:26:23Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Apparently, it was well known in the neighborhood that’s where the Republican baseball practices. Also, Scalise had a security detail, which sort of indicates “important person here”. The game against the democrats is tomorrow night. The game in a hundred year tradition. It’s hardly a secret. As usual initial reports are going to be confusing but I’ve heard reports of true heroism from the Capital Hill Police officers. From a CBS report the congressman was pinned down by fire when two exposed themselves to go rescue him. They were both hit but were able to engage the gunman that was armed with a rifle with their handguns. He apparently was hit and captured. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/23 "2017-06-14T13:31:01Z")
Fuck me. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/24 "2017-06-14T13:32:01Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > I heard the shooter asked if they were republicans or democrats before he began shooting. > > So he was actually after republicans. That’s surprising to me. > [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Unless you can provide a cite, can we refrain from posting potential bullshit like this? I’m not saying it’s actual bullshit, but I might as well come in and say “I hear the shooter was dressed like a rodeo clown.” Apparently the notion originates from Fox “News” and is unclear whether or not the shooter was the one who asked: Florida congressman Ron DeSantis, who left the scene moments before the shooting, told Fox News that a man walked up to him as he was walking to his car and asked “whether it was Republicans or Democrats out there.” ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/25 "2017-06-14T13:36:51Z")
I hope all the victims recover fully. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/26 "2017-06-14T13:51:42Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The game against the democrats is tomorrow night. The game in a hundred year tradition. It’s hardly a secret. > > As usual initial reports are going to be confusing but I’ve heard reports of true heroism from the Capital Hill Police officers. From a CBS report the congressman was pinned down by fire when two exposed themselves to go rescue him. They were both hit but were able to engage the gunman that was armed with a rifle with their handguns. He apparently was hit and captured. I hope they go ahead with the game tomorrow. Perhaps add more security. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/27 "2017-06-14T13:53:19Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > This is one of those situations in which you almost can’t help writing a narrative: Republicans targeted, was it a disaffected Democrat, blah blah blah. I know, right? It’s almost _too_ perfect. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/28 "2017-06-14T13:57:28Z")
I don’t care who did it, or why he did it, or who he did it to. This shit has got to stop. Prayers for everyone involved. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/29 "2017-06-14T14:00:42Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I hope they go ahead with the game tomorrow. > > Perhaps add more security. I really can’t imagine them going ahead with the game tomorrow. Perhaps at a later date, but no one is going to play tomorrow. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/30 "2017-06-14T14:05:49Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I really can’t imagine them going ahead with the game tomorrow. Perhaps at a later date, but no one is going to play tomorrow. > > Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk Just put Scalise on the DL and call up someone from the minors. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/31 "2017-06-14T14:05:54Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Once the shooting started people scattered over and open field. > > Apparently, it was well known in the neighborhood that’s where the Republican baseball practices. Also, Scalise had a security detail, which sort of indicates “important person here”. Rand Paul, who was at the scene, said that it could have been worse otherwise, if Scalise had not been there there would have been no onsite police presence so the gunman would have had more time before there was response. He also reported that not everyone was able to make it to cover and some had to just lay low not knowing where the shots came from. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/32 "2017-06-14T14:16:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Apparently the notion originates from Fox “News” and is unclear whether or not the shooter was the one who asked: > > Florida congressman Ron DeSantis, who left the scene moments before the shooting, told Fox News that a man walked up to him as he was walking to his car and asked “whether it was Republicans or Democrats out there.” That’s the way I heard it, too. DeSantis says he was in running clothes. Flake says he saw the shooter and shooter was in jeans. So that does lessen the liklihood that they are the same person, to me. But not eliminate it, because one could just have remembered the clothing wrong. Memory is so fallible, and one was in a high-stress situation and the other in a unimportant one. Plus I’m hearing different reports on whether DeSantis or Duncan reported man asking question. And Duncan tweeted he saw shooter (he said shooter, not suspicious person), but his description didn’t match Flake’s, I guess? I’m little mixed up on which description came from DeSantis and which from Duncan. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/33 "2017-06-14T14:24:47Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > How did the shooter know a bunch of guys on a baseball field are politicians? > > People dressed in athletic gear pretty much all look alike. > [@Theodore\_Striker](#): > > Not sure, but I am guessing that this may be a somewhat known practice, considering the number of Congress-critters present, especially if this was a resident of the area. I am thinking that because of the targets, this is a politically motivated act, whether it be against one party or the other, or against politicians in general. It’s an act that should be condemned either way, and hopefully neither side will try to use this as political gain. The Republican team practices there at 6:30 every morning. The Democrats practice elsewhere. Heard this on NPR a little while ago. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/34 "2017-06-14T14:35:44Z")
Of course, it’s also possible that the person who asked was just some random bystander watching the practice and who was curious, and had no connection at all to the shooter. And while we know who actually got hit, we don’t know who the shooter was aiming at: The actual hits might have been accidental. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/35 "2017-06-14T14:46:15Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > The Republican team practices there at 6:30 every morning. The Democrats practice elsewhere. Heard this on NPR a little while ago. The DNC team practices at an (so far) unnamed university field iunside teh beltway. Also: At least a couple Congressmen covered themselves in glory for rendering aid to the wounded, including one that is a mil-vet trauma surgeon. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/36 "2017-06-14T14:46:20Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Of course, it’s also possible that the person who asked was just some random bystander watching the practice and who was curious, and had no connection at all to the shooter. And while we know who actually got hit, we don’t know who the shooter was aiming at: The actual hits might have been accidental. Right, there is a lot we don’t know. Everyone says there were a lot of shots, so it’s possible no one particular person was targeted. Also, [investigated has been handed over to FBI and Capitol Police](https://twitter.com/AlexandriaVAPD/status/874998814788251648). I guess that’s to be expected, given the targets. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/37 "2017-06-14T14:48:52Z")
This is so senseless. A bipartisan event for charity and an idiot does this. This shooting could have been so much worse. The capital police security detail made all the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/38 "2017-06-14T14:51:10Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > Also: At least a couple Congressmen covered themselves in glory for rendering aid to the wounded, including one that is a mil-vet trauma surgeon. Brad Wenstrup and Mo Brooks. Two Capital Police Officers, from the security detail, were among the wounded - one in the leg (per Brooks), and one elsewhere, maybe more seriously. [https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-06-14/scalise-shot-by-assailant-at-congressional-baseball-practice](https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-06-14/scalise-shot-by-assailant-at-congressional-baseball-practice) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/39 "2017-06-14T14:53:01Z")
> [@Theodore\_Striker](#): > > It’s an act that should be condemned either way, and hopefully neither side will try to use this as political gain. Probably way too much to hope for. I look for the NRA to come out in favor of baseball players having concealed carry. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2017, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/40 "2017-06-14T14:53:15Z")
Trump’s [response](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/337720-trump-deeply-saddened-by-shooting-at-lawmaker-baseball-practice) is remarkably, well, not like him. > [@](#): > > President Trump said Wednesday he is “deeply saddened” by a shooting at a baseball practice for members of Congress. > > In a statement released by the White House, Trump said he and Vice President Pence “are monitoring developments closely” surrounding the shooting in Northern Virginia. > > “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” the president said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders, and all others affected.” > > Trump added in a tweet that House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) “was badly injured but will fully recover.” > > Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. > > - Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 14, 2017 I’m guessing something more typical will follow later. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=3)