Bat-wielding attacker on hunt for congressman storms office, injures two staffers

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, an individual entered his district office in Fairfax, a suburb of Washington, this morning armed with a baseball bat and asked for him, but the congressman was not in the office.

The person then proceeded to commit “an act of violence” against members of his staff, Mr. Connolly said.

The suspect is now in police custody. Both staffers were transferred to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.

According to Fairfax City Police, the suspect arrived unexpectedly by car at the Virginia Democrat’s office and began swinging a metal bat at the congressman’s staffers and struck two of them, hitting a senior aide in the head and an intern on the side of her body. It was the intern’s first day on the job.

U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement said that the suspect was identified as Xuan Kha Tran Pham, 49, of Fairfax. He is facing two charges: one count of aggravated malicious wounding and one count of malicious wounding.

Mr. Connolly did not specify whether the attack 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 said.

However, Virginia Democrats equated the assault to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at 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,” said Susan Swecker, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, in a statement.

“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 said.

Threats against lawmakers, Capitol Hill police and congressional staffers have increased in recent years prompting the Sergeant at Arms to add more security measures to members’ district offices and coordinate with their local police.

While the Fairfax City Police Department will be taking the lead, the U.S. Capitol Police are reportedly already investigating the incident.

The suspect will be charged and taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, the local department said.