A man stalking Virginia Congressman Gary Connolly attacked two of his staffers with a metal baseball bat at his district office on Monday, the senator said in a statement.
Democratic Rep. Connolly said the man was taken into police custody and the two injured workers were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
One of the employees, a senior aide, suffered a head injury, according to Connolly’s office. Second, an intern who had just started working in the office was slapped on the side.
“I have the best team in Congress, and my constituency office staff give of themselves to voters and the public every day,” Connolly said in a statement. “The idea that someone would use my employees’ access to commit acts of violence is unconscionable and devastating.”
“Our focus right now is to make sure they are getting the care they need,” Connolly said.
Connolly’s office said that in addition to beating staff, the man smashed large sections of the office with a bat, smashed windows and smashed computers.
Connolly also thanked the City of Fairfax Police Department, where he has offices, for helping his staff.
The member of the House of Representatives has served in Virginia’s 11th district since 2009. His constituency is Washington, D.C. Southern region included.
Police did not release any information about the attacker or the motive for the incident.
“Earlier today, I offered my full support to Congressman Connolly and his staff to the House Democratic Caucus family following this horrific attack,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement. “We thank law enforcement and the medical professionals who acted quickly to identify the suspect and care for affected members of the Capitol Hill community.”