Gunman shoots congressman, police at Virginia baseball practice

Steve Scalise is a majority whip in House of Representatives

WASHINGTON: Senior Republican Congressman Steve Scalise was among several victims shot and wounded at a baseball practice ahead of an annual game between lawmakers in a Washington suburb, one of his colleagues said Thursday.

Fellow Republican lawmaker Mo Brooks told CNN that Scalise was shot in the hip, adding that at least two law enforcement officers and one congressional staffer were shot in Alexandria, Virginia.

Scalise, the majority whip who rallies Republican votes in the House of Representatives, "was not able to move on his own power. He was dragging his body from the second base infield to the outfield to get away from the shooter while all this firing was going on," Brooks said.

Trump 'deeply saddened' by shooting

President Donald Trump voiced sadness Wednesday after the shooting.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy," Trump said in a statement, adding that he was closely monitoring the developments in Alexandria, Virginia just outside the US capital, where police have arrested the unidentified gunman.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders, and all others affected."