Rep gets emotional as he thanks police after VA shootout
Texas Rep Roger Williams appeared hold back tears today as he thanked Capitol Police for saving him and his colleagues from the deranged gunman who left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise in hospital.
Williams, who sprained his ankle protecting the young son of Rep Joe Barton, spoke of how he and his colleagues owed their lives to officers Krystal Griner and David Bailey's intervention Wednesday morning.
'There will be those who will talk about what's wrong with America but in this case, with officers Griner and Bailey, we saw what's right with America,' he said.
'There could have easily been 25 deaths or more today,' he added, 'but officers Grinder and Bailey prevented that and my family and I will be forever grateful.'
Williams then paused, apparently choked up with emotion, before continuing his speech.
'The thin blue line held today,' he said.
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Texas Rep Roger Williams (pictured) held back tears Wednesday as he thanked police who saved him from the shooter who opened fire on his colleagues during their baseball game
Williams and the others had been practicing for a Thursday night charity game when the chaos began. He sprained his ankle shielding the young son of Rep Joe Barton's son in the dugout
The representative explained how he was oblivious to the danger, even after gunman James Hodgkinson, 66, fired his first shot at the Republican lawmakers.
It was only when the second and third shots rang out that the players - who were practicing for an annual charity ball game planned for Thursday night - ran for cover.
Williams said he 'literally dove' into the seven-foot-deep dugout next to the field.
'It'd be I guess like diving into a swimming pool with no water,' he explained, 'but I did.'
In there were several colleagues, he said, including staffer Zack Barth, who was shot in the leg but continued to send text messages alerting people to the danger.
Williams said that Senator Jeff Flake turned his belt into a tourniquet for Barth while Williams went to comfort Jack Barton, son of Rep Joe Barton.
'We're trying to take care of [Jack], just trying to take care of each other, it was a lot heroes here today among my friends,' he said.
'It is something I will not forget, it seemed like it went forever.
'Police say they got here in about three or four minutes and I'm sure that's the case but it's a long time. They say 60 shots were fired.'
John Hodgkinson, 66, opened fire on the lawmakers, hitting house whip Steve Scalise, who is in critical condition, as well as a staffer. Police shot Hodgkinson down, but he injured them too
Williams is seen here being tended to after the accident. Officers Krystal Griner and David Bailey, who stopped Hodgkinson, were injured but are expected to make full recoveries
Williams' staffer Zachary Barth (left), was shot in the leg and joined Williams and young Jack Barton (right, with dad Joe) in the dugout. Barth is expected to make a full recovery
After those four long minutes, however, police arrived and 'took a step forwards when they didn't have to, they could have stepped backwards but they stepped forwards,' Williams said.
'They saved all of us out there,' he said, 'There is no question about it.'
Officers Griner and Bailey shot Hodgkinson, fatally wounding him. They themselves were injured, as was House Whip Steve Scalise, who is now in critical condition.
Barth was expected to recover, Williams said; the officers are expected to make full recoveries.
Although Williams appeared shaken by the events of the day at the beginning of his speech, he settled in as he began speaking, and was resolute about not calling off Thursday's baseball game.
He would be there, he promised, and joked: 'If you're not sure which one I am, I'm the one coaching third on crutches.'
But we're going to play, we need to play - this is a game that's been going on for over 100 years, it goes to charity, we need to play this baseball game,' he said.
'I think it's important, because these people who want to destroy our lives or our livelihood here in America, they win when we give in.
'America doesn't give up, America doesn't give in. If we don't play this baseball game and we give in, they win. That's the reason.'
He added that 'everybody, not just the congresspeople,' would be protected at the charity event.
And when asked to talk about the politics of the shooter - a vehement Trump-hater and Bernie Sanders advocate - Williams played down that as a reason.
'This person evidently had some issues - I don't think it was a Democratic, Republican issue, I think he just had an issue,' he said.
'Nobody can do into this. I do think candidly that our rhetoric in this country could be toned down a little bit, but that's what we have to work on, and continue to talk about.'