Gabby Giffords and Steve Scalise’s House colleagues show support after Va. shooting

Gabby Kaufman
·Reporter

After House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot Wednesday, reactions poured in from his former and current colleagues in Congress, as well as the president and vice president.

Related slideshow: Shooting at GOP baseball practice in Alexandria, Va. >>>

The No. 3 Republican in the House was one of five people wounded at an Alexandria, Va., baseball field, where they were practicing for Thursday’s Congressional Baseball Game. Capitol Police were there as part of Scalise’s security detail and took down the shooter, who died as a result of his injuries.

Scalise’s office released an update on his condition shortly before he entered surgery, saying he was in “good spirits.”

Former Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a gun-control advocate who survived an attempted assassination at a 2008 event with constituents, tweeted a message of support and praised the Capitol Police.

Giffords later released a lengthier statement, saying she was “heartbroken,” and encouraged unity in the face of violence.

“This shooting is an attack on all who serve and on all who participate in our democracy,” Giffords said.

President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Scalise’s leadership colleagues — House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy — also tweeted messages of support.

Several of Scalise’s Republican teammates, some of whom were also attending practice when the shooting occurred, tweeted messages clarifying their own status or that of their staff.

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