Speaking to CNN (click here to live stream), Representative Mo Brooks (Alabama’s 5th congressional district) said “We were facing a guy with a gun with nothing but baseball bats.” But not quite. Brooks said two Capitol Police were on scene and returned fire.
Congressman Steve Scalise –the current United States House of Representatives Majority Whip and representative for Louisiana’s 1st congressional district — was shot and wounded. CNN reports that a Congressional aide was also shot. A belt tourniquet was applied to his leg.
There were two Capitol Police officers on scene. One was shot in the chest and airlifted to a local hospital. Another was also shot but helped attend to the wounded.
Rep. Brooks praised his security detail. He said they were facing a rifle — shooting through a chain link fence — with pistols at 90 to 100 feet distance “He shot at least 50 times,” Brook said.
CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer focused on the type of rifle used. Brooks said he didn’t know.