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Virginia Shooting Hits Close To Home For Florida Sheriff

Val Deming's twitter

The Virginia shooting at a Congressional baseball practice hit close to home for the head of the Florida Sheriffs Association.

Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings’ wife is Florida Congresswoman Val Demings. He says she had initially considered participating in the baseball game for charity.

“Fortunately, she was not part of that. Her schedule would not allow her to participate,” Jerry Demings said. “But, I had a moment today where I went through an uneasiness because I didn’t know whether she was there or not. But, I have been able to talk to her, and my heart and prayers go out to those individuals who were shot today.”

Demings has had to deal with multiple shootings, including last year’s deadliest in modern U.S. history and a workplace shooting that left five people dead last week. In Wednesday’s shooting in Alexandria, at least five people were shot and wounded, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.