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Two members of Rep. Gerry Connolly’s (D-Va.) staff were hospitalized on Monday morning after an assailant attacked them with a baseball bat, the Virginia congressman said in a statement.
Gerry Connolly said the attacker “asked for me before committing an act of violence against two members of my staff”
The suspected assaulter entered Connolly’s office in Fairfax, Va., office and was taken into custody, according to Connolly and the Fairfax City Police.
“Both members of my team were transferred to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries,” Connolly said. “Right now, our focus is on ensuring they are receiving the care they need.”
Connolly commended his staff who “make themselves available to constituents and members of the public every day,” calling the attack “unconscionable and devastating.”
Monday’s attack is the latest of a dangerous trend
The attack comes on the heels of a series of security threats against members of Congress and their families, including the Jan. 6 riot, the Good Friday attack and the assault on Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
“The safety of our Members and of our staff remains of paramount importance, particularly given the increased instances of political violence in our country,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement.
“We must collectively take every available precaution to protect Members and our staff,” Jeffries said.