2 local congressman missed being at shooting scene
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WPVI) -- Two congressmen from our area are on the baseball team that was targeted in a shooting during practice on Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia.
However, both local congressmen missed practice and were not there.
Rep. Ryan Costello (R-6th) represents parts of Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties.
The shooting happened at a park where members of a congressional baseball team were practicing. Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot and wounded, as were several other people.
In an interview with Action News, Costello said he missed his ride to the park by mere minutes.
"I had my Reading Phillies uniform on. I went outside at 6:01 and I texted the folks I usually go with and they said they had to leave a little early, they leave by 6, so I went down in the basement to see if another member was driving out," Costello said.
Costello said he waited to see if he could get another ride, but when it became clear everyone had already left, he went back to his office to get ready for the day.
"About an hour later I was sitting in my office and learned of it on television," he said.
Costello was still rattled about the shooting.
"I have more chills learning that I would have been in the line of fire, knowing people there. I don't even know what to say. I'm still gathering my thoughts. But it's scary, and I don't even know how to describe what I'm feeling," Costello said.
When asked if he had a message for Scalise and the others who were wounded, Costello said "We're praying for you, and for the staffers and security detail."
Costello said the players were practicing for a congressional baseball game that raises money for charity. He said some $650,000 has been raised.
Also on the team is Rep. Pat Meehan (R-7th), who represents Delaware, Montgomery, Berks and Lancaster counties.
He said he was scheduled to be at the practice today, but was at a previously scheduled engagement.
"My first thoughts go to the heroism of the Capitol Police that were there and responding immediately in a manner that likely saved the lives of a number of people," Meehan said.
Meehan spoke alongside Representative Joe Barton of Texas.
Barton was there this morning when the shots rang out in Virginia.
As of tonight the charity baseball game is still a go between the democrats and republicans.
Both teams will were LSU jerseys in a show of support for Congressman Scalise.
So far, there are no arrests or a motive for the shooting.
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