Editor’s note: The views expressed by guest columnists are not necessarily those of The Costa Rica Star, its advertisers, or its staff. 

A lone shooter took aim at the U.S. Government early Wednesday morning in an act described as “political terrorism” injuring Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise — a high-ranking Republican — plus a staff member of Texas Rep. Roger Williams and two Capitol Police officers during baseball practice with 30 Republicans on the ball field in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside Washington.

Of all the mass shootings that have occurred throughout the Unites States of America in recent years, this one is a big deal. Witnesses on live TV said the shooter, who was reported dead some time after the shooting by President Trump, fired 50 to 60 shots for about 10 minutes armed with an “automatic or semi-automatic rifle” and a pistol.

“Without the security detail it would have been a massacre … without them, nobody would have survived,” said witness Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul on FOX News. “We are going to need more protection. Sad this is what it’s come to.”

Another witness – Florida Rep. Ron Desantis – said on live national TV said a man came up to him and asked about the political makeup of the ball players. Desantis said he left the ball field early about five minutes before the shooting began.

“There are some serious questions to ask about this situation. We need to get answers about this,” said Desantis on FOX News. “We had an encounter from someone wanting to know if they are Republicans or Democrats.”

Reports say Scalise was shot in the hip at second base and he was seen crawling to a dugout but no one could help him until the shooter was shot by Capitol Police. Both Capitol Police officers, assigned to protect Scalise, were shot but they both returned gunfire, neutralizing the shooter. The bravery and dedication of these two officers saved many lives Wednesday.

The congressmen were all practicing for a charity bi-partisan annual baseball game set for Thursday night, and which is still set to be held, despite initial rumors it would be cancelled. Republicans and Democrats practice at different ball fields then come together for an annual benefit ball game that brings a large turnout from the public to see their lawmakers doing something together away from Capitol Hill.

The shooting comes on President Trump’s 71^st birthday. He was quick to release a statement about the shooting expressing sorrow and hope for the victims. The president later appeared in person to give a statement.

Wednesday’s shooting is a sad day for America. This is a direct attack against the government by a well-armed gunman that has shocked and saddened the nation. Of course this shooting will again raise questions on Capitol Hill about the public availability of military-style weapons.

This incident has all but drowned out any news coverage of Tuesday’s U.S. Intelligence Committee hearing with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who again denied any involvement with any collusion with Russian officials during President Trump’s campaign for president.

Reporters fired questions at the police about the shooter, what type weapon was used and is terrorism involved? An FBI spokesman said “It’s too early to say. We are working both ends today … I have no information on the weapon … We are going thru the logical step of the investigative process … We have to run down details.”

Alexandria Police Chief Mike Brown said the FBI’s involvement in the investigation is due to this shooting being an “assault against federal officers.”

“We have to come together and govern,” said Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis who was on the field when the shooting began.

 

About the Author

Britt Nelson relocated to Costa Rica in 2011 from Florida, where he served as news editor for the Palatka Daily News, a newspaper owned by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group (NYT-RNG) for 20 years.

Nelson served the NYT-RNG for 18 years in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida as a correspondent, reporter, staff writer, senior staff writer training new reporters, copy editor, page designer, editorial writer, editorial page editor and editorial board member.