Press Releases

It was a cold, rainy morning yesterday at Simpson Field, where Republican lawmakers gathered for the first time since the shooting at this same field last June, to practice for their annual Congressional Baseball game for local charities. Despite the weather and the dozens of Capitol Police scattered throughout the property, there were only hugs and laughs – no gun shots.

The practice was short, and at its conclusion, a podium was set up along the third base line where a statement was read from Republican Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who couldn’t attend because he was recovering from another medical procedure due to the injuries he sustained during the shooting. Other lawmakers also made statements and took questions from reporters gathered on the field.


When you listened to the lawmakers and other members of the team, you got the sense this was a cathartic experience. They spoke candidly about their memories, and you could tell they were just grateful to be back on the field practicing.

“Today [sic], we got to finish what was tragically interrupted a year ago – our baseball practice,” said Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA). “Even though this is a very emotional moment for all of us, it is important for us to be here and show the world that we will not let an act of evil deter us from this worthy cause.”

Loudermilk, who is the DH (Designated Hitter) for the team, donned the same gold and black Kennesaw State University jersey that he was wearing on the morning of the shooting. When asked by reporters about the uniform, Loudermilk responded, “Wearing the same uniform I had on when the gunman was shooting at me was an important part of finishing the practice I never got to complete.”

Matt Mika, shot twice during the ordeal, was on the field practicing – it was a sight to behold. He brought along a firefighter and an EMT, two first responders who worked to save his life. And just like Steve Scalise, Matt was severely wounded that morning, narrowly escaping with his life.

Matt was shot in the chest as he was running towards the first base fence to escape the gunfire, and ended up lying on the ground next to the Capitol Police SUV. Loudermilk saw Matt shortly after he was shot, and stayed with him throughout the gun battle, reassuring him, until EMT’s were able to get to Matt.


On the morning of June, 14, 2017, left-wing activist James Hodgkinson, opened fire on 24 Republican lawmakers as they practiced for the charity baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Crystal Griner, Tyson Foods lobbyist Matt Mika, and staffer Zach Barth were all shot during the ordeal. Thankfully, each of them survived their injuries.

Make no mistake about it, this was a politically motivated shooting, and this shooter wanted to kill Republicans. Besides the shooter’s social media being littered with hateful messages directed at Republicans, he asked Rep. Jeff Duncan as he left practice early –whether or not those were Republicans on the field.

There were two important factors that day which prevented the shooter from killing dozens: a locked gate at third-base, which prevented the shooter from getting on the field where lawmakers would have been sitting ducks; and the security detail that accompanied Majority Whip Steve Scalise. If not for Steve Scalise being a part of leadership, and being at practice, there wouldn’t have been any police at all.

The shootout between Hodgkinson and Capitol Police lasted about 7-8 minutes before Capitol Police and Alexandria Police shot him. Hodgkinson died from his injuries as he was transported to George Washington University Hospital.

“I especially want to thank the Capitol Police Officers who saved our lives last year, and the ones who protected us today [sic] – and every day – so we could pay tribute to those affected by this horrible incident, and play the game we love,” said Rep. Barry Loudermilk.