Tyson Foods lobbyist one of four shot in ‘deliberate attack’ in Virginia

Tyson Foods employee Matt Mika was one of the four shot Wednesday (June 14) while they were in Alexandria, Va., practicing for a congressional baseball game.

According to CBS News and CNN, Mika is the most seriously injured after being shot in the chest. Tyson Foods provided this statement shortly after law enforcement authorities are calling a “deliberate attack.”

“We have confirmed that Matt Mika, director-government relations for our Washington, D.C. office, is among those who was shot this morning in Alexandria.  He has been taken to a local hospital and we’re awaiting word on his condition. Matt has worked for Tyson Foods for more than six years and we’re deeply concerned about him and his family,” noted the Tyson statement.

Also injured in the attack was U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, a Republican from Louisiana and the third ranking member of the U.S. House serving as the majority whip. Scalise was rushed to a hospital for surgery, but is expected to recover.

Others shot in the morning attack were congressional staffer Zach Barth, and Capitol Police officers David Bailey and Krystal Griner.

Initial media reports said the shooter was James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Ill., and that he was killed during the attack.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson mentioned the shooting during a Wednesday morning press conference on another matter.

“I did want to express my concern and my prayers, and our thoughts go out to Congressman Steve Scalise, based upon the attack today at the ballpark in Alexandria, Va. I have been in Congress and I know Steve and know some of the players that were involved in that game which is a great America tradition. To have that disrupted by an attack is certainly disturbing and our hearts go out to the families.

“Also, we’ve learned that an Arkansas Tyson (Foods) employee was wounded in that event today and our hearts go out to that family and we wish him well as he recovers from that (attack),” Hutchinson said.

Congressional officials said the annual ballgame between Republicans and Democrats scheduled for Thursday night would still be held. The game has been played since 1909.

Talk Business & Politics will update this report when new information is available about Mika’s status.