U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Cincinnati, who was among the members of the GOP baseball team, was among the first to treat Scalise, who is in stable condition at George Washington University Hospital.
MORE: Which Congress members were at the baseball park shooting? Who was injured?
Butler County GOP Executive Chairman Todd Hall said the shooting is unimaginable.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our Republican brethren and for the protection of all who serve our nation. We live in perilous times when an innocent baseball practice can become a place of horror,” he said.
“At initial glance, it seems that this incident could have been far worse without first responders and Capitol security. Thank goodness for our nation’s law enforcement community,” Hall said.
MORE: 2 Ohio GOP members on Scalise's baseball team
Dora Bronston, a pastor at Solid Rock Church in Monroe and Middletown vice mayor, said society needs “to have a little more respect” for humanity and for the work of government officials.
“It’s horrible. Here they were just minding their own business, people out in a united effort for a good cause, and who ever this shooter was, everybody suffers,” said Bronston, a Butler County Democrat.
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Bronston said this will eventually bring up the discussion of gun control — where did the shooter get the weapon, who sold it to them and their state of mind at the time of the shooting — but said public shootings are becoming all too common place.
“It’s just getting to a point where it’s a typical event lately, where it’s someone shooting someone,” she said. “I don’t think it’s our new norm … but this is not the United States of America that we grew up in and know now.”
MORE: Who is Brad Wenstrup?
Butler County Democratic Party executive chair Jocelyn Bucaro said, “The events this morning were horrible and tragic as is gun violence that occurs daily across our country.”
U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, who represents the 8th Congressional District which includes Butler County, is asking for prayers for Scalise and others affected by the shooting.
“The heroic actions of the Capitol Police prevented a more tragic incident,” said Davidson, who was not at the practice. “Thank you to all those who reached out concerning my safety. Please pray for Congress and our nation that the Lord may heal our land.”
From other elected Butler County officials:
- Ohio Rep. Wes Retherford, R-Hamilton: "Leann and I send our thoughts and prayers to all those effected by this senseless act of violence. I also think it's important to commend Congressman Brad Wenstrup. His quick thinking and training as an Army doctor showed real valor."
- Ohio Rep. Margy Conditt, R-Liberty Twp.: "I am saddened to hear about the attack on our congress members and their staff. My thoughts and prayers are with them and families. I commend Congressman Wenstrup for his heroic action of providing medical assistance at the scene of the attack. I also commend the security detail members and Capitol police for neutralizing the threat."
- Ohio Rep. Candice Keller, R-Middletown: "My thoughts are with all those impacted by today's attack in Virginia and my prayers go out to Congressman Scalise and others who were harmed. It is important to also commend law enforcement officials and first responders for their bravery in the face of such dangerous circumstances."
- Ohio Sen. Bill Coley, R-Liberty Twp.: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims of (Wednesday's) senseless violence."
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