Had the Capitol Police not been at the scene when a gunman opened fire on a group of Congressional Republicans early Wednesday morning, witnesses believe it would have been a “massacre.”

House Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), the House GOP’s third most powerful member, was shot in the hip when suspected gunman James T. Hodgkinson opened fire on Republican lawmakers and their aides at baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia. A staff member for Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) and two Capitol Police officers were also wounded during the attack.

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“In my judgment, he shot at least 50 times. I don’t know how many times that the Capitol Police shot back,” eyewitness Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), told CNN. “But for the Capitol Police and the heroism they showed, it could have very well been a large-scale massacre. All we would have had would have been baseball bats against a rifle. Those aren’t good odds.”

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Members of Congress do not typically have security details assigned to them unless they hold leadership positions. Because Scalise is the majority whip, he had an armed security detail of Capitol Police with him.

“Steve Scalise is in leadership, and that’s the only reason there were security detail there at all. So, it is sad that he was shot, but he actually saved everybody’s life by being there because he had the two security details,” eyewitness Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told ABC News. “These guys were real heroes, and I think without them everybody would have been killed.”

Paul appeared on multiple news networks Wednesday and profusely praised the Capitol Police and the other first responders who rushed to the scene.

“Our lives were saved by the Capitol Police. Had they not been there, I think it would have been a massacre,” Paul said on CNN. “And you are completely helpless and having no self-defense and no way to get to somebody. The field was basically a killing field. If you had run out there while the shooter was still shooting, he would have shot everybody.”

Paul released a statement about the shooting on Twitter, saying, “I was there and am shaken but unharmed. Many people likely would have died this morning if not for the bravery of the Capitol Police. My thanks to them are inadequate but heartfelt. They never hesitated to put their lives on the line to save everyone.”

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President Donald Trump also thanked the police for their bravery in a statement at the White House, saying, “Many lives would have been lost if not for the heroic actions of the two Capitol Police officers who took down the gunman despite sustaining gunshot wounds during a very, very brutal assault.”

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“Everyone on that field is a public servant, Our courageous police, our congressional aides who work so tirelessly behind the scenes with enormous devotion, and our dedicated members of Congress who represent our people,” Trump added. “We may have our differences, but we do well in times like these to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capitol is here because above all they love our country.”

As news continued to circulate about the heroism displayed by the first responders, politicians from both sides of the political aisle poured out their thanks to the law enforcement officers and recognized the significance of their bravery.

“Always so grateful for the US Capitol Police officers. Their bravery saved lives in VA this morning. Thank you,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweeted.

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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said “the U.S. Congress suffered a despicable and cowardly attack.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with Whip Steve Scalise and the others wounded, Capitol Police and staff, and their families,” Pelosi said. “We are profoundly grateful for the heroism of the Capitol Police, whose bravery under fire undoubtedly saved countless lives. On days like today, there are no Democrats or Republicans, only Americans united in our hopes and prayers for the wounded.”