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Obama, Clinton speak up after GOPer is shot

Thursday, 15 June 2017 1:43 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 15 June 2017 8:17 AM ]

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama

Former US President Barack Obama and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton speak up after a shooting at the GOP congressional baseball practice, which has left five injured.

Arizona Republican Senator Jeff Flake said Wednesday that Obama (pictured below) had sent his "best wishes and prayers" for the victims.

"He went through this a couple of times," he told reporters. "This is particularly raw for those of us in Arizona."

Flake was one of the GOP members practicing in Alexandria, Virginia Wednesday morning, when the attack occurred.

The gunman opened fire, injuring five, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

Flake said Obama asked him to tell Scalise that he was thinking of the congressman.

Meanwhile, Clinton took to Twitter to condemn the attack and call for unity.

“2 sides take the field tomorrow, but we’re all ultimately one team,” said the former secretary of state (pictured below) Wednesday evening.

Scalise, the House GOP whip along with a staffer, a lobbyist and two Capital Police officers, were shot at the team practice.

US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, was planning to visit the top Republican in the hospital along with first lady Melania Trump.

Scalise was taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center for surgery, where he remained in critical condition.

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Gunman opens fire on congressmen in Virginia

The attacker, whose political views are being examined as a possible motive, was a former volunteer for Vermont Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign.

He was also a fierce critic of the president on social media.

“I am sickened by this despicable act,” Sanders said in a statement. “Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms.”