Staff at MedStar Washington Medical Center updated the press and, frankly, concerned citizens across the country, on Rep. Steve Scalise’s (R-LA) condition after he sustained gunshot wounds at Wednesday’s congressional baseball practice.
Scalise suffered a trans pelvic gunshot wound, Dr. Jack Sava, director of trauma, told the press Friday.
The bullet did "substantial damage" to Scalise’s bones, internal organs and blood vessels, Sava revealed. While the congressman was awake on the baseball field, by the time he was transported to the hospital, he was in shock and immediately received units of transfused blood. Thanks to truly amazing anesthesia care, Scalise got through his first procedure. He then had another procedure in radiology and as today remains in the ICU.
Sava said he is encouraged by Scalise’s improvement. They managed to control the internal bleeding, and his vital signs have stabilized. Yet, his status remains critical and he requires additional operations. Predicting Scalise’s length of stay at the hospital is “difficult,” Sava acknowledged.
Following the surgeries, Scalise will need to undergo rehabilitation for a full recovery. “I feel more optimistic than I did two or three days ago,” he said.
How serious is the situation? Said that when Scalise first arrived at the hospital, he was in “critical condition, with an imminent risk of death.”
Lobbyist Matt Mika also remains in serious condition, while congressional staff Zach Barth and U.S. Capitol Police officers Agent David Bailey and Crystal Griner continue to nurse their own injuries.
On Thursday, Congress went on with its annual event, raising $1.5 million for charity.
Update: Scalise's wife, Jennifer, has released the following statement about Wednesday's attack.
Statement from Jennifer Scalise: pic.twitter.com/UaA9PZSbQz
— Rep. Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) June 16, 2017