US Rep. Rodney Davis, who represents the 13th Congressional District in Illinois, was among the members of Congress practicing at a Virginia baseball field when shots were fired Wednesday, his spokesperson confirmed, but he was not hurt.
Davis was at bat when he says he heard someone tell him there was a gunman and to run.
"Somebody says run you don't stand around and ask why they're telling you that," Davis said.
He joined others in the dugout before fleeing across the street and taking shelter behind a row of cars.
"Somebody said, 'He’s coming around the corner of the field' so we, three of us, immediately ran up the sidewalk between two apartment buildings and a Good Samaritan saw us running and said, 'Come in,'" Davis said.
There, Davis called 911, his wife and his children.
Davis, who plays catcher on the team, was among several congressional Republicans practicing baseball when someone opened fire, striking House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and multiple other people.
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The shooting happened in the 400 block of E. Monroe Avenue. As many as five people were shot, according to NBC News, including the gunman, who President Donald Trump said has since died.
The special agent in charge of the FBI's investigation said there was no immediate indication of the shooter's motive, and that it was too early to tell if Republicans were targeted.
"This could be the first political rhetorical terrorist act that we’ve seen on our soil and we can change that. Only we can change that," Davis said.
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A congressional aide said Scalise, R-La., was in stable condition at George Washington University Hospital.
Davis tweeted Wednesday morning "Please pray for Steve and all those injured."
Other Illinois congressmen who were on the team include Darin LaHood and John Shimkus, who were not at the practice Wednesday.
"My prayers are with @SteveScalise this morning as he's treated after this morning's shooting & will continue to monitor developments closely," LaHood wrote.
"Please pray wiht me for my friend @SteveScalise, USPC and all those there," Shimkus tweeted.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, chief deputy whip, said she was "shocked and horrified by the events that took place."
"My thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Steve Scalise, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Congressional staffers present at this morning’s practice, and all those affected. I wish everyone injured a full and speedy recovery," she said in a statement.
Two Capital Police officers were among those shot as well. Those officers are with the dignitary protection unit.
Sen. Claire McCaskill tweeted early Wednesday that she had spoken to Capitol Police and that the officers "will be ok."
"This political hateful rhetoric that’s going on, be it social media or in the news cycle, where it seems as though Republicans and Democrats don’t get along out here, that’s just not true," Davis said. "And what that rhetoric and that hatefulness has led to is member is Congress, I believe, having to dodge bullets today at a baseball practice for a game that we play for charity."
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