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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said it's likely many people would have died during a shooting that occurred at the Republican baseball practice Wednesday morning had it not been "for the bravery of the Capitol Police."

"As you have likely heard a gunman with a rifle opened fire on congressmen, senators, staff and police this morning. I was there and am shaken but unharmed," Paul said in a statement.

"Many people likely would have died this morning if not for the bravery of the Capitol Police," he continued. "My thanks to them are inadequate but heartfelt. They never hesitated to put their lives on the line to save everyone. Please pray for those who were injured."

Paul and several other Republicans were practicing for Thursday's annual congressional baseball game when a gunman armed with a rifle opened fire on the practice in Alexandria, Va.

Five people were transported to local hospitals, including Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., who was shot in the hip. Scalise went into surgery Wednesday morning.

The No. 3 Republican, Scalise travels with a security detail, and Paul said had they not been there, the shooting would've been a "massacre."

Paul and others at the practice said the shooter fired at least 10 to 20 rounds before the security detail engaged him.

Multiple reports identifed 66-year-old James T. Hodgkinson of Belleville, Ill., as the shooter. President Trump said shortly before noon on Wednesday that the suspect had died as a result of police counterattack.

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Rand Paul: Bravery of Capitol Police kept us alive in congressional baseball shooting - Washington Examiner