Person looking for Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly attacks staffers with baseball bat

(FAIRFAX, Va.) — A person looking for Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly allegedly attacked two of his staffers with a metal baseball bat at his district office Monday, the congressman said in a statement.

Connolly, a Democrat, said the individual was taken into police custody and the two staffers who were injured were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One of the staffers, a senior aide, was hit in the head, according to Connolly’s office in Fairfax. The other, an intern who had just started working in the office, was hit in the side.

“I have the best team in Congress. My District Office staff make themselves available to constituents and members of the public every day,” Connolly said in a statement. “The thought that someone would take advantage of my staff’s accessibility to commit an act of violence is unconscionable and devastating.”

“Right now, our focus is on ensuring they are receiving the care they need,” Connolly said.

The suspect was identified as Xuan Kha Tran Pham, 49, of Fairfax, Virginia.

He is charged with one count of aggravated malicious wounding and one count of malicious wounding, according to the U.S. Capitol Police.

In addition to hitting the staffers, the individual trashed much of the office with the bat, breaking glass and smashing computers, Connolly’s office said.

Connolly also thanked the city of Fairfax Police Department, where is office is located, for coming to the aid of his staff.

“You could absolutely tell that the people inside were scared,” Fairfax City Police Sgt. Lisa Gardner said at a press conference outside the district office. “They were hiding. I mean, someone swinging a bat around, I would be scared as well. Thankfully the police officers got here fairly quickly.”

Police said a motive for the incident is not clear.

The congressman has served Virginia’s 11th District since 2009. His district includes the region south of Washington, D.C.

“Earlier today, I spoke to Congressman Connolly to offer him and his staff the full support of the House Democratic Caucus family in the aftermath of this horrific attack,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement. “We are grateful for the members of law enforcement and medical professionals who swiftly acted to apprehend the suspect and care for the affected members of our Capitol Hill community.”
 

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.