Gunman opens fire on congressmen, aides in Virginia; multiple wounded

DEBKAfile was founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service. June 14, 2017, 3:39 PM (IDT)

Republican Rep. Steve Scalise, the US House majority whip, was shot Wednesday morning along with a number of other people at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia, about seven miles from the White House. The congressman from Louisiana’s 1st district was hit in the hip and one of his aides was hit in the chest. Scalise was said to be in stable condition. Rep. Mo Brooks said that the gunman fired more than 50 shots with a rifle. Two US Capitol police officers were said to be among the wounded. “Had they not been there, it would have been a massacre,” said Sen. Rand Paul, who was an eyewitness. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were made aware of the developing situation. Alexandria police said the suspect is in custody and is no longer a threat.

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