GOP senator: I called Scalise's wife after shooting so she wouldn't find out on the news

Sen. Jeff FlakeJeff FlakeTwo arrested after alleged threat made at GOP senator's office ObamaCare fight moves from Washington to local districts The party of Lincoln has no soul — the GOP and its toxic healthcare bill MORE (R-Ariz.) said he called the wife of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) to inform her that her husband was shot Wednesday morning.

Scalise is in stable condition after being shot at a baseball practice field in a Washington, D.C., suburb, ahead of the Congressional Baseball Game. 

"I got Steve Scalise's phone and called his wife. I didn't want her to wake up and hear the news, not know what was going on," Flake told reporters. 

Flake recounted that Scalise was shot while playing the field at second base during batting practice. He said Scalise remained there until the shooting was over, when lawmakers and staff ran to assist him. 

"He was coherent the whole time, but he laid out there for at least 10 minutes alone," Flake added. 

He said the shooting lasted about 10 minutes and that he believes a member of Scalise's security detail was the one who shot the gunman, whom Flake described as a white male with dark hair in his 40s or 50s wearing a blue shirt.