Michigan man remains critical after congressional ball field shooting

Todd Spangler | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Eyewitness video shows footage of Virginia shooting Noah Nathan was clutching the two leashes of his Goldendoodles when he heard shots ring out across the Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Va. Wednesday morning.

WASHINGTON — A 38-year-old Michigan-born lobbyist who was badly wounded in Wednesday's attack on members of Congress at a charity baseball game practice remained in critical condition today.

Matt Mika's family released an update on his condition, saying that while he is conscious and able to communicate with doctors and family through notes, he requires the assistance of medical equipment to breathe and will need more surgeries.

The family said Mika was shot several times in the chest and arm and suffered massive trauma. He underwent surgery Wednesday at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. and remains in the facility's intensive care unit.

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“We truly appreciate the outpouring of support, love and prayers," Mika's family said. "Our family continues to be in shock and we ask for privacy while we focus on Matt and his care. Because of his condition, Matt cannot receive visitors or accept gifts.

"We are grateful for the care he has received, from the first responders in the field to the world-class care here at the hospital. We understand he is lucky to be alive and we owe it to these amazing individuals and Matt’s fighting spirit and grit. Additionally, we want to thank the Capitol Police for their heroic actions to stop the shooter before he could hurt even more people."

Mika's family traveled to Washington from Michigan to be with him Wednesday and said he is expected to remain in ICU for some time.

A lobbyist for Tyson Foods in Washington, Mika, who grew up in Southfield, previously worked for former U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland and U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton.

He also worked in the Michigan statehouse for former state Rep. David Palsrok of Manistee.

A former baseball and football player at Adrian College, Mika was volunteering with Republican congressmen practicing in Alexandria, Va., for today's annual Democrat-versus-Republican charity baseball game when a shooter, James Hodgkinson of Illinois, opened fire.

Mika, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, another congressional aide and two Capitol Police officers were wounded. Hodgkinson was killed in a shootout with Capitol Police and Alexandria Police who responded.

Contact Todd Spangler: 703-854-8947 or tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler.

