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Maryland shooting: five victims named after 'targeted attack' on newspaper – live updates Maryland shooting: five victims named after 'targeted attack' on newspaper – live updates
(35 minutes later)
The fundraiser to help the Capital Gazette newsroom and staff has hit $50,000, in 8 hours.
Started by Bloomberg reporter Madi Alexander, the money will go towards medical bills, funeral costs, repairs, and any other unforeseen costs of today’s shooting.
Here’s how the victims of today’s shooting have been remembered by their friends and colleagues:
Veteran 59-year-old editor Rob Hiassen was a “generous mentor” who always helped reporters make their work “more human”.
Gerald Fischman, the 61-year-old page editor, had worked at the paper for over 25 years. He was the paper’s “conscience” with a “wicked pen”
Wendi Winters, 65, started as a freelancer before becoming an editor, spending 12 years “writing her way into the newsroom”.
John McNamara, a 55-year-old staff writer, was versatile, a jack of all trades, and a “fantastic person”.
Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant and the youngest employee killed, was remembered as “thoughtful and considerate” and always ready to help.
Read Lois Beckett’s full report:
Ben Jacobs, on the ground in Maryland, has this profile of Annapolis – the latest “nice town” on the list of “nice towns” to have suffered a mass shooting.
Annapolis is a nice town.
The quaint red brick city on the shores of the Severn is a genteel place three and a half centuries old. It’s the type of town where sailing and lacrosse are sports as big as baseball and football and where antique shops and B&Bs are major economic engines.
It’s not just a college town but home to two diametrically opposed educational institutions, the United States Naval Academy and St. John’s College. The two schools face off every year in a grudge croquet match.
The shooting on Thursday happened just outside of city limits; it was in a nondescript suburban office building where the Capital Gazette shared space with dentists and lawyers and across the street from an upscale shopping mall filled with department stores and nicer sort of chain restaurants.
But the shooting changed all of that. It added what its mayor called “a Mayberry kind of town” to the long roll call of American cities that have seen mass shootings. It joins places like Littleton, Colorado, Newtown, Connecticut and Parkland, Florida on a sad ever-growing list.
But Annapolis has faced worse. Its early years were marked by the religious conflict of the English Civil War. It has faced the turmoil of the American Revolution where a British ship carrying tea was burned in the harbor less than a year after the Boston Tea Party. And it seems capable of rallying together even after the unimaginable horror of Thursday.
After all, it is a nice town.
The mayor of Annapolis, Gavin Buckley, has said he cannot understand how the reporters of the Capital Gazette “could make someone that hostile”.The mayor of Annapolis, Gavin Buckley, has said he cannot understand how the reporters of the Capital Gazette “could make someone that hostile”.
“If this is an attack on journalism it is a sad state of affairs,” he said. “We’re not in some war zone, we’re not in some third-world country with a dictator. We are in a Mayberry kind of town, we’re in shock we’re going to be grappling with.”“If this is an attack on journalism it is a sad state of affairs,” he said. “We’re not in some war zone, we’re not in some third-world country with a dictator. We are in a Mayberry kind of town, we’re in shock we’re going to be grappling with.”
Read the full interview below:Read the full interview below:
Tributes are flowing in for that front page, and for the 10 reporters and photographers who have put together the report on their own newsroom.Tributes are flowing in for that front page, and for the 10 reporters and photographers who have put together the report on their own newsroom.
The only newspaper cover that matters tomorrow https://t.co/dnOuCChrzVThe only newspaper cover that matters tomorrow https://t.co/dnOuCChrzV
They did put out a damn paper. #Respect #Remembrance #Resilience @wusa9 https://t.co/2hmho9cb2OThey did put out a damn paper. #Respect #Remembrance #Resilience @wusa9 https://t.co/2hmho9cb2O
This is resilience. https://t.co/yONspJbdJOThis is resilience. https://t.co/yONspJbdJO
The reporters on that byline are: Chase Cook, Phil Davies, Selene San Felice, E.B. Ferguson III, Rachael Pacella, Danielle Ohl, Joshua McKerror, Paul W. Gillespie, David Broughton and Bob Hough.The reporters on that byline are: Chase Cook, Phil Davies, Selene San Felice, E.B. Ferguson III, Rachael Pacella, Danielle Ohl, Joshua McKerror, Paul W. Gillespie, David Broughton and Bob Hough.
Here’s the front page of tomorrow’s Capital Gazette:Here’s the front page of tomorrow’s Capital Gazette:
pic.twitter.com/dEiIgEd15Kpic.twitter.com/dEiIgEd15K
In the words of the newspaper’s editors: “We’re putting out a damn paper tomorrow.”In the words of the newspaper’s editors: “We’re putting out a damn paper tomorrow.”
Two Capital Gazette staffers have been released from hospital, according to an internal memo being reported by CNN.Two Capital Gazette staffers have been released from hospital, according to an internal memo being reported by CNN.
They were taken to hospital with “non life-threatening injuries”. Earlier, acting police chief William Krampf said the injuries were possibly caused by shattered glass from the shotgun blast.They were taken to hospital with “non life-threatening injuries”. Earlier, acting police chief William Krampf said the injuries were possibly caused by shattered glass from the shotgun blast.
Two other Capital Gazette staffers were taken to the hospital "with non life-threatening injuries," and have since been released, according to an internal memo.Two other Capital Gazette staffers were taken to the hospital "with non life-threatening injuries," and have since been released, according to an internal memo.
There have been some updates to our piece tying together what we know so far about the shooting. The latest:There have been some updates to our piece tying together what we know so far about the shooting. The latest:
Police said the shooter “indicated violence” through social media threats before the shooting.Police said the shooter “indicated violence” through social media threats before the shooting.
The suspect did not exchange gunfire with responding officersThe suspect did not exchange gunfire with responding officers
The suspect used smoke grenades – initially reported as improvised explosive decvices – when carrying out the attack.The suspect used smoke grenades – initially reported as improvised explosive decvices – when carrying out the attack.
Read the full article here:Read the full article here:
“The attack on the Capital Gazette, in which four journalists and a sales assistant were murdered, is the most deadly day for the media that we have recorded in the United States since we began tracking data in 1992,” said Joel Simon, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, which collects data on journalists killed in work-related incidents worldwide.“The attack on the Capital Gazette, in which four journalists and a sales assistant were murdered, is the most deadly day for the media that we have recorded in the United States since we began tracking data in 1992,” said Joel Simon, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, which collects data on journalists killed in work-related incidents worldwide.
News reports Thursday night naming the suspected shooter identified him as a man who had previously sued the newspaper for defamation and lost. In the global context, an attack on local journalists for covering a small local issue is far from unprecedented, Simon said.News reports Thursday night naming the suspected shooter identified him as a man who had previously sued the newspaper for defamation and lost. In the global context, an attack on local journalists for covering a small local issue is far from unprecedented, Simon said.
Many of the attacks that CPJ tracks targeted local journalists who “reported on very local issues and got killed as a result,” including for issues that might seem “fairly petty,” like coverage of cockfighting or an expose of a local politician, Simon said.Many of the attacks that CPJ tracks targeted local journalists who “reported on very local issues and got killed as a result,” including for issues that might seem “fairly petty,” like coverage of cockfighting or an expose of a local politician, Simon said.
“Journalists who work in a very local context, they have an intimate relationship with the communities they cover. When powerful figures in their communities are upset with them, they know precisely who the journalists are,” Simon said. “The anger they feel, in their own minds, about being exposed within their own communities can be a powerful force that leads them into this violence.”“Journalists who work in a very local context, they have an intimate relationship with the communities they cover. When powerful figures in their communities are upset with them, they know precisely who the journalists are,” Simon said. “The anger they feel, in their own minds, about being exposed within their own communities can be a powerful force that leads them into this violence.”
“Not all of these crimes are carried out because of some national conflict or some high-profile corruption scandal or human rights issues. A lot of them are responsive to journalists working in their own communities, exposing corruption or wrongdoing of powerful figures within those communities.”“Not all of these crimes are carried out because of some national conflict or some high-profile corruption scandal or human rights issues. A lot of them are responsive to journalists working in their own communities, exposing corruption or wrongdoing of powerful figures within those communities.”
According to Committee to Protect Journalists statistics the deadliest day for journalists globally was November 23, 2009, in the Phillipines, when “29 journalists and two media support workers were ambushed and brutally slain” in a “politically motivated ambush,” according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.According to Committee to Protect Journalists statistics the deadliest day for journalists globally was November 23, 2009, in the Phillipines, when “29 journalists and two media support workers were ambushed and brutally slain” in a “politically motivated ambush,” according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French magazine, which left 12 people dead, is the “most comparable event” to Thursday’s shooting, Simon said.The 2015 attack on Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French magazine, which left 12 people dead, is the “most comparable event” to Thursday’s shooting, Simon said.
“Multiple killings of journalists in a global context are not uncommon,” Simon said, but “But this is an unprecedented event in the United States.”“Multiple killings of journalists in a global context are not uncommon,” Simon said, but “But this is an unprecedented event in the United States.”
With many details about the attack still unknown, Simon cautioned against linking Thursday’s shooting to President Donald Trump’s continued rhetorical attacks on journalists as “the enemy of the people.” “Obviously, we’ve expressed our dismay at these comments that President Trump has made, and we’re obviously horrified by what happened today. At this point, knowning what we know, I don’t think it’s wise to make any connection,” Simon, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said.With many details about the attack still unknown, Simon cautioned against linking Thursday’s shooting to President Donald Trump’s continued rhetorical attacks on journalists as “the enemy of the people.” “Obviously, we’ve expressed our dismay at these comments that President Trump has made, and we’re obviously horrified by what happened today. At this point, knowning what we know, I don’t think it’s wise to make any connection,” Simon, the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists, said.
Additional police patrols were deployed to the offices of news outlets around the US this afternoon, in response to today’s attack on the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.Additional police patrols were deployed to the offices of news outlets around the US this afternoon, in response to today’s attack on the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced they were adding patrols around major news outlets in the city as a precaution and “reassurance”. The New York Times and Reuters buildings also had police stationed outside through the afternoon.The Los Angeles Police Department announced they were adding patrols around major news outlets in the city as a precaution and “reassurance”. The New York Times and Reuters buildings also had police stationed outside through the afternoon.
Anne Arundel police department has released a statement saying that for “investigative reasons” they have not released the suspect’s name or photograph.Anne Arundel police department has released a statement saying that for “investigative reasons” they have not released the suspect’s name or photograph.
The suspect has been widely named by various newspapers, citing police sources and police documents, as Jarrod Ramos, 38, of Laurel, Maryland, though the Guardian has not confirmed this independently.The suspect has been widely named by various newspapers, citing police sources and police documents, as Jarrod Ramos, 38, of Laurel, Maryland, though the Guardian has not confirmed this independently.
#Annapolis Shooting Update: we want to put out again...at this time due to investigative reasons we have not released the name of the suspect in custody. The suspect has not been booked and there is no booking photo available for release. Thanks#Annapolis Shooting Update: we want to put out again...at this time due to investigative reasons we have not released the name of the suspect in custody. The suspect has not been booked and there is no booking photo available for release. Thanks
Posts have been pouring in on social about the five victims who were named by police in the last half hour. Former and current journalists from the Capital Gazette have tweeted about their colleagues:Posts have been pouring in on social about the five victims who were named by police in the last half hour. Former and current journalists from the Capital Gazette have tweeted about their colleagues:
Gerald, Wendi, Rob, John and Rebecca. God. I can't comprehend this. They all were such wonderful people. My heart is in pieces.Gerald, Wendi, Rob, John and Rebecca. God. I can't comprehend this. They all were such wonderful people. My heart is in pieces.
We’d often say: Rob is a poet. Rob cared about words & feelings. He’d send me messages with nothing but a stupid word I’d used in a sentence & a way to make it better. He loved music & red wine. He was getting into George Saunders.He cared, deeply & thoughtfully, about people. https://t.co/TqBmUgp2mSWe’d often say: Rob is a poet. Rob cared about words & feelings. He’d send me messages with nothing but a stupid word I’d used in a sentence & a way to make it better. He loved music & red wine. He was getting into George Saunders.He cared, deeply & thoughtfully, about people. https://t.co/TqBmUgp2mS
Rob Hiaasen, soft-spoken guy, who wrote about Annapolis' many secret spots.Gerald Fischman, quiet with a dry sense of humor. Wendi Winters, who never met a story she couldn't write or photograph. Johnnie Mac, who envied me on my retirement.Missing them. https://t.co/qSK4DKj3JiRob Hiaasen, soft-spoken guy, who wrote about Annapolis' many secret spots.Gerald Fischman, quiet with a dry sense of humor. Wendi Winters, who never met a story she couldn't write or photograph. Johnnie Mac, who envied me on my retirement.Missing them. https://t.co/qSK4DKj3Ji
Justin Trudeau has tweeted in response to the shooting, saying an attack on journalists trying to do their jobs was “devastating”.Justin Trudeau has tweeted in response to the shooting, saying an attack on journalists trying to do their jobs was “devastating”.
Journalists tell the stories of our communities, protect democracy, & often put their lives on the line just to do their jobs. Today’s attack in Annapolis is devastating. Our hearts go out to all the victims & their families.Journalists tell the stories of our communities, protect democracy, & often put their lives on the line just to do their jobs. Today’s attack in Annapolis is devastating. Our hearts go out to all the victims & their families.
The Baltimore Sun, the sister newspaper of the Capital Gazette, have released an editorial paying tribute to their colleagues and speaking of the need to act in response to the “shocking regularity” of mass shootings.The Baltimore Sun, the sister newspaper of the Capital Gazette, have released an editorial paying tribute to their colleagues and speaking of the need to act in response to the “shocking regularity” of mass shootings.
As journalists, we have covered more mass shootings than we care to count. Today gun violence hit our family, and we are feeling its pain more acutely than we could have imagined — yet it’s a pain we know will be repeated in community after community, in shooting after shooting, unless we act. We can accept no more excuses.As journalists, we have covered more mass shootings than we care to count. Today gun violence hit our family, and we are feeling its pain more acutely than we could have imagined — yet it’s a pain we know will be repeated in community after community, in shooting after shooting, unless we act. We can accept no more excuses.
They also pointed to the atmosphere of hostility toward journalism at present in the US.They also pointed to the atmosphere of hostility toward journalism at present in the US.
At a time of political divisiveness when views of the news industry itself have become starkly polarised, many jumped quickly to speculation about whether the metaphorical war on the media had become shockingly literal... That’s why so many reporters across the nation got a sickening feeling Thursday afternoon — they couldn’t believe something like this had happened, except that they could.At a time of political divisiveness when views of the news industry itself have become starkly polarised, many jumped quickly to speculation about whether the metaphorical war on the media had become shockingly literal... That’s why so many reporters across the nation got a sickening feeling Thursday afternoon — they couldn’t believe something like this had happened, except that they could.
Gavin Buckley, mayor of Annapolis, who spoke to CNN immediately before the press conference held by police, praised the county’s police officers who ran toward danger.Gavin Buckley, mayor of Annapolis, who spoke to CNN immediately before the press conference held by police, praised the county’s police officers who ran toward danger.
Earlier today Lt Ryan Frashure, of the Anne Arundel county police, told press that police were on the scene “less than a minute” after the attack began. Mayor Buckley said their swift response can be credited to recent training.Earlier today Lt Ryan Frashure, of the Anne Arundel county police, told press that police were on the scene “less than a minute” after the attack began. Mayor Buckley said their swift response can be credited to recent training.
“Last month we did an active shooter drill and that is why our guys got there so fast,” said Buckley.“Last month we did an active shooter drill and that is why our guys got there so fast,” said Buckley.
Buckley said he was at a loss to know why the newspaper would have been targeted, and that it was not a politically contentious publication.Buckley said he was at a loss to know why the newspaper would have been targeted, and that it was not a politically contentious publication.
“This paper is not a liberal newspaper, it’s not a right wing newspaper, it stays in the middle and covers local issues,” he said. Adding, of the reporters, “we love them”.“This paper is not a liberal newspaper, it’s not a right wing newspaper, it stays in the middle and covers local issues,” he said. Adding, of the reporters, “we love them”.
I have to ask the question: why are people so tightly wound now? What is making people so angry?”I have to ask the question: why are people so tightly wound now? What is making people so angry?”
The victims of the attack have been named, all of them were employees of the Gazette.The victims of the attack have been named, all of them were employees of the Gazette.
They are: Rob Hiaasen, assistant news editor, Gerald Fischman, editorial page editor, Wendi Winters, special publications editor, Rebecca Smith, sales assistant, and John McNamara, staff writer.They are: Rob Hiaasen, assistant news editor, Gerald Fischman, editorial page editor, Wendi Winters, special publications editor, Rebecca Smith, sales assistant, and John McNamara, staff writer.
Acting police chief William Krampf has concluded the press conference:Acting police chief William Krampf has concluded the press conference:
We have a responsibility and an obligation to these victims, everyone in the Anne Arundel county police, we are deeply saddened by what happened today, we are deeply saddened that we had to make those notifications, we are deeply saddened that a person had to take this into his own hands and this is the result.We have a responsibility and an obligation to these victims, everyone in the Anne Arundel county police, we are deeply saddened by what happened today, we are deeply saddened that we had to make those notifications, we are deeply saddened that a person had to take this into his own hands and this is the result.