Steve Scalise, aide shot in Virginia

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and a congressional aide were shot by a rifle-wielding gunman who sprayed a hail of bullets at a GOP baseball practice in Virginia Wednesday morning, before U.S. Capitol Police took the gunman down.

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Scalise was "badly injured," according to a tweet from President Trump, but expected to recover. A spokesperson from Scalise said he was "stable" and undergoing surgery after being shot in the hip. Five people were "transported medically" from the scene, Alexandria Police Chief Michael Brown said. It appeared that included Scalise, a congressional aide, the gunman and two law enforcement officers -- one of whom was hit by fragments.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told Fox News: "We were like sitting ducks."

"Without the Capitol Hill police it would have been a massacre," Paul said, describing the scene as "sort of a killing field."

The gunman was shot by Capitol Police and Alexandria Police, apprehended and taken to the hospital, officials said. Sen. Mike Lee told Fox News, however, the gunman was killed. The incident occurred at Simpson Field in Alexandria, about 10 miles from Washington D.C.

Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise speaks with the media in May. (AP)

"The vice president and I are aware of the shooting incident in Virginia and are monitoring developments closely," President Trump said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Congress, their staffs, Capitol Police, first responders and all others affected."

Trump later tweeted: "Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, a true friend and patriot, was badly injured but will fully recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with him."

The Department of Homeland Security was monitoring the episode and the FBI was also involved.