The gunman who opened fire on a group of congressman playing baseball, reportedly asked the men if they were Republicans or Democrats before he opened fire.

Reports said that shortly he opened fire with a semi-automatic weapon - spraying as many as 50 or 60 bullets - the suspected shooter, approached one of those present and asked about their political affiliation.

“I’m told Rep Jeff Duncan plans to give a statement to police regarding a conversation he had with the shooter before leaving practice early,” CNN reporter Rebecca Berg wrote on Twitter.

“The man was wearing running clothes, asked Duncan: “Are those Republicans or Democrats out there practicing?” Per source familiar.

Congressman Mo Brooks of Alabama told CNN that the gunman was armed with a rifle and appeared to be a white male, “a little bit on the chubby side”.

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Mr Brooks said he saw the man only for a second, and that he was shooting from a chain link fence behind the third base position on the field where the congressional group was holding its morning practice.

He said he heard Steve Scalise, the Republican whip in the House and one of the more powerful Republicans in Washington DC, scream out, as he was shot, reportedly in the hip.

Virginia Shooting Show all 20 1 /20 Virginia Shooting Virginia Shooting House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and others were shot Wednesday at a congressional baseball practice, officials said AP Virginia Shooting Police and emergency personnel are seen near the scene where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was shot during a Congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting A man receives medical attention from first responders on the scene following a shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, US EPA Virginia Shooting The Republican House majority whip Steve Scalise and at least four others have been shot shot at a congressional baseball game practice session, according to media report EPA Virginia Shooting Police close a street near the scene of a shooting in Alexandria, Virginia EPA Virginia Shooting Police close a street near the scene of a shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, USA EPA Virginia Shooting The Republican House majority whip Steve Scalise and at least four others have been shot shot at a congressional baseball game practice session, according to media reports EPA Virginia Shooting First responders on the scene following a shooting in Alexandria, Virginia, USA EPA Virginia Shooting Alexandria, Va. Police Chief Michael Brown speaks about the shooting in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich. talks on the phone while walking past a damaged vehicle at a shooting scene where House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of La. was shot at a Congressional baseball practice AP Virginia Shooting A Capitol Hill Police officer walks past an automobile with the driver's window damaged at the scene of a shooting in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn. is seen near the scene of a shooting in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting A Capitol Hill Police officer stands his post at the entrance to the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington AP Virginia Shooting Law enforcement officers investigate the scene of a shooting near a baseball field in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting An Alexandria, Va. police officer tapes off an area near the YMCA after a shooting in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz. walks toward media gathered at the scene of a shooting at a baseball field in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting The baseball field that is the scene of a shooting in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting Law enforcement officers gather near a shooting scene at baseball field in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas and other members of the Republican Congressional softball team, stand behind police tape of the scene of a multiple shooting in Alexandria, Va AP Virginia Shooting Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala. meets with reporters in Alexandria, Va AP

“There must have been 50 to 100 shots fired,” he said.

“I hear Steve Scalise over near second base scream. He was shot,” added Mr Brooks, adding he helped apply a tourniquet with his belt to a congressional staffer who was shot in the leg.

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“One of our security detail was shooting back, but it was our pistol versus the shooter's rifle. The only weapon I had was a baseball bat. That's not a battle you want to go in."

Fox News anchor Bret Baier tweeted that Mr Scalise was shot in the hip and is expected to survive.

Reuters said that President Donald Trump said he and Vice President Mike Pence were aware of the shooting and are monitoring developments closely.