Fairfax City Police detained a suspect Monday on suspicion of assaulting two congressional staffers who work for Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Virginia Democrat.
According to Mr. Connolly, a person entered his district workplace in Fairfax, a suburb of Washington, this morning armed with a baseball bat and requested for him, however the congressman was not within the workplace.
The individual then proceeded to commit “an act of violence” towards members of his employees, Mr. Connolly stated.
The suspect is now in police custody. Both staffers had been transferred to the hospital with nonlife-threatening accidents.
According to Fairfax City Police, the suspect arrived unexpectedly by automotive on the Virginia Democrat’s workplace and commenced swinging a metallic bat on the congressman’s staffers and struck two of them, hitting a senior aide within the head and an intern on the aspect of her physique. It was the intern’s first day on the job.
U.S. Capitol Police stated in a press release stated that the suspect was recognized as Xuan Kha Tran Pham, 49, of Fairfax. He is dealing with two expenses: one depend of aggravated malicious wounding and one depend of malicious wounding.
Mr. Connolly didn’t specify whether or not the assault was ideologically motivated.
“Right now, our focus is on ensuring they are receiving the care they need. We are incredibly thankful to the city of Fairfax Police Department and emergency medical professionals for their quick response,” he stated.
However, Virginia Democrats equated the assault to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol by supporters of then-President Trump.
“From January 6th to recent attacks against poll workers, violence against people serving their government has been all too common,” stated Susan Swecker, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, in a press release.
“In the strongest possible terms, we condemn all acts of political violence. My thoughts are with Congressman Connolly’s staff and their families as they recover from their injuries. I am grateful for the first responders that secured the scene and treated these public servants who were just trying to do their jobs and serve the constituents of Virginia’s 11th District.”
Mr. Connolly praised his aides, saying he has “the best team in Congress.”
“My District Office staff make themselves available to constituents and members of the public every day. The thought that someone would take advantage of my staff’s accessibility to commit an act of violence is unconscionable and devastating,” he stated.
Threats towards lawmakers, Capitol Hill police and congressional staffers have elevated lately prompting the Sergeant at Arms so as to add extra safety measures to members’ district places of work and coordinate with their native police.
While the Fairfax City Police Department will likely be taking the lead, the U.S. Capitol Police are reportedly already investigating the incident.
The suspect will likely be charged and brought to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, the native division stated.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com