Virginia congressman's office attacked by bat-wielding man, two aides injured

On Monday, two staffers of Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly were injured in an attack after a man wielding a metal baseball bat entered Connolly's district office in Fairfax.

US Capitol Police (USCP) said in a statement, "At this time, it is not clear what the suspect’s motivation may have been. Based on what we know right now, investigators do not have any information that the suspect was known to the USCP," according to CNN.

Speaking to CNN, Connolly said that one senior aide was hit in the head and that the second victim was an intern who had just started her first day working for the congressman and she was struck on the side. The suspect went on a rampage in the office space and took the bat to computers and the conference room, shattering glass and destroying property.

The suspect was arrested by the Fairfax Police Department and the victims taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

USCP identified the suspect as Xuan Kha Tran Pham, 49, a constituent from Connolly's district in Fairfax.

He was charged with one count of malicious wounding and one count of aggravated malicious wounding.

Connolly, who was at a ribbon-cutting event for a local food bank during the attack, said to CNN of the suspect, "He was filled with out-of-control rage."

MSNBC reports that the suspect was looking for Connolly, a Democrat, when he entered the office.

CBS reports the congressman said the suspect "asked for me before committing an act of violence against two members of my staff."

"Right now, our focus is on ensuring they are receiving the care they need," Connolly said. "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."