Fleischmann slightly injured fleeing ‘horrible’ shooting at congressional baseball practice

Tennessee’s Rep. Chuck Fleischmann was present when a gunman began shooting at a baseball practice session for congressmen today that left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise wounded, according to multiple media accounts. The third district congressman was slightly hurt while running to take cover from the gunman.

From Michael Collins’ report:

The Ooltewah Republican was shaken, but not hit.

“It’s just a madhouse here,” he said during a phone call from the scene. “It’s horrible. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”

Fleischmann said the practice session was almost over when the shooting occurred.

“I heard a bang, and I thought it sounded like a gun,” he said. “I never saw a shooter. I heard him. I was close to the damn thing. Some of our people have been hit. This is horrible. I got bloody running and jumping into the dugout.”

Flesichmann estimated there were 50 to 60 people at the practice, including House members, senators and their staffs. “Many have been shot, but a lot like me got bloody running for cover,” he said.

From the Times Free Press:

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., was at Simpson Field when the shooting occurred. He was not shot but he did get injured running away from the shooter and diving into the dugout.

Fleischmann told the Times Free Press that members of the Republican baseball team were in the final practice before the final game tomorrow. Practice started at 6 a.m., and toward the end of practice, he was stretching at third base and then walked toward home plate. He heard a single gunshot.

“I heard a loud pop,” he said. “All of a sudden multiple shots came out.”

Fleischmann was with Larry Hardy, the team’s coach, and they both ran for the dugout.

“We were running for cover and we jumped in the dugout. It is chaos at the scene right now.” Fleischmann said he has been interviewed by law-enforcement.