Global Courant 2023-05-16 00:00:33
WASHINGTON — A person with a baseball bat entered Rep.’s county office Monday morning. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. and attacked two members of his staff, the congressman said in a statement.
“This morning a person entered my precinct armed with a baseball bat and asked for me before committing an act of violence against two members of my staff. The person has been taken into police custody and both members of my team have been transferred to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” Connolly said.
He said his focus is to make sure his employees get the care they need. It is unclear which members of Connolly’s staff were injured or where the congressman was when the attack occurred.
“We are incredibly grateful to the City of Fairfax Police Department and medical responders for their prompt response,” he said.
“I have the best team in Congress,” Connolly added. “My county office employees make themselves available to voters and members of the public every day. The thought of anyone taking advantage of my employees’ reachability to commit an act of violence is unconscionable and devastating.”
Connolly, 73, represents Virginia’s 11th congressional district and has been a member of the House since 2009. His county office is located in Fairfax, Virginia, less than 15 miles from downtown Washington.
Neither the congressman nor the police provided additional details about the suspect, what happened during the attack, or any possible motive.
Hakeem Jeffries, DN.Y., leader of the House Minority, said in a statement that he spoke with Connolly on Monday to offer him and his staff the full support of the House Democratic Caucus. He also said Congress should “take all available precautions to protect members and our personnel.”
“The safety of our members and of our staff remains of the utmost importance, especially given the increased incidence of political violence in our country,” said Jeffries, who added that he has asked the House sergeant at arms and the US Capitol Police “continuing their focus on collaboration with our members.”
“Intimidation and violence – especially against civil servants – has no place in our society”, tweeted Senator Mark Warner, D-Va. “This is an extremely worrying development and my thoughts are with the employees who have been injured.”
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., representing another district in Northern Virginia, tweeted, “This is very, very scary. I send @GerryConnolly and his team my best wishes, with the hope of a speedy recovery for his staff who were injured in this violent attack. My thanks go to the authorities who are working to keep everyone safe.”
Members of Congress have expressed concerns about the security of their offices or homes, especially since the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Last October, a man wielding a hammer attacked the husband of then D-California House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, at their home in San Francisco.
In 2017, several people were shot by a man when a group of Republican lawmakers were practicing for a congressional baseball game in Alexandria, Virginia. Then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., was among those shot and had to undergo surgery and physical therapy.
This is an evolving story. Check back later for updates.
