“It’s horrifying. It was innocent people practicing for baseball and then all of a sudden the shots rang out. It’s unbelievable. It’s madness.”
That was the reaction of Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., to the shooting in Washington, D.C., during congressional baseball practice Wednesday morning. The senator also tweeted that he was praying for House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, one of the victims of the shooting who was reported in critical condition Wednesday night; along with the Capitol Police and the other victims.
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., expressed similar thoughts.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this heinous attack and their families. I am grateful for the heroic efforts of Capitol Police officials and local law enforcement officers who took actions to save the lives of the victims,” Casey said. “Because of the courageous actions of these first responders, the victims were not more seriously injured. I join Americans across our nation in praying for a speedy recovery for Representative Scalise and all those injured. These acts of violence have no place in our society. Today, we stand in solidarity as Americans.”
Congressman Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., said he was at a speaking engagement when the shooting took place, and is praying for a quick recovery for those injured.
“Out of an abundance of caution, there is an increased police presence in and around the Capitol and office buildings, which remain open to the public and lawmakers,” Thompson said. “We certainly owe the Capitol Police a debt of gratitude for how they selflessly place themselves in harm’s way to protect the public day in and day out.”
Reports had indicated that shooter James Hodgkinson had asked people at the baseball field if they were Democrats or Republicans before he started shooting, and he was known for being anti-Trump. He belonged to a Facebook group called “Terminate the Republican Party,” according to The Associated Press.
In the aftermath, leaders of both parties are calling for unity and denouncing violence.
Locally, McKean County Republican Party Chair Stacy Wallace reminded that the shooter is responsible for his own actions.
“My son Lucas learned in first grade at George G. Blaisdell (Elementary School) this year, first to listen and understand, only after to be heard. This would go a long way for adults in our political climate. Also, the way people talk on social media just blows me away. These adults could benefit to return to the first grade lessons and remember the golden rule — treat others as you want to be treated,” Wallace said.
County Democratic Party Chair Jeffrey Carson said he wouldn’t speak for the party, but spoke for himself. ““As a human being, I am growing tired of violence being the solution to conflict. Regardless of who was targeted, the fact that someone was able to obtain an alleged automatic weapon and open fire in broad daylight on public servants sickens me.
“My husband and I are keeping the victims in our thoughts today and are thankful the Capitol Police were able to act swiftly so that the casualties were not greater,” Carson added.
Bradford City Mayor Tom Riel said that unfortunately, threats to public officials are not uncommon.
“This is my tenth year in office, and there have been two times when people have threatened my life,” Riel said. “One person was charged criminally and put in a facility where they were no longer a threat. The other person made threats against me, the police chief and a former president. I called the Secret Service and that person was picked up. I don’t know what happened after that.”
Riel had not been in contact with either one of the people before the threats began.
Riel said he has a concealed carry permit and knows of other local government officials who do as well.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to protect themselves by getting a permit,” he said, adding classes are offered locally on firearm safety. “In the world we live in you never know when you might need to protect your life or the lives of others around you.”
The mayor said the city has made use of private donations in recent years to do security upgrades at city hall because of the changing times.
“It’s unfortunate that we live in crazy political times,” he said, “and far too many people are unwilling to accept the outcome of the presidential election. Whether you are a Republican or Democrat or any other political party, Donald Trump is still your president.”
Riel said the “nonsense going around on social media and television” isn’t going to change anything, and added, “the bulk of it just sidetracks the federal government from moving forward with the business of the country.”
