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Maryland shooting: at least five dead in 'targeted attack' on Capital Gazette newspaper – live updates Maryland shooting: five victims named after 'targeted attack' on newspaper – live updates
(35 minutes later)
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.
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/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/qSK4DKj3Ji
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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?”
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.
Acting police chief William Krampf has concluded the press conference:
We have a responsibility and an obligation to these victims, everyone in the aa 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.
Acting police chief Krampf is addressing media and naming victims. He says the suspect is being interrogated and there are “no further threats” connected with the attack.
“This cannot be the new normal,” Gavin Buckley, the mayor of Annapolis has said.“This cannot be the new normal,” Gavin Buckley, the mayor of Annapolis has said.
Addressing CNN he said he had to ask the question “Why are people so tightly wound now? What is making people so angry?”Addressing CNN he said he had to ask the question “Why are people so tightly wound now? What is making people so angry?”
More on that shortly, but the police are about to address media.More on that shortly, but the police are about to address media.
This is Kate Lyons, taking over from Julia Carrie Wong.This is Kate Lyons, taking over from Julia Carrie Wong.
Staff at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, who were in the newspaper’s offices when a gunman entered and killed five of their colleagues, have said they need more than “thoughts and prayers” from the president.Staff at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, who were in the newspaper’s offices when a gunman entered and killed five of their colleagues, have said they need more than “thoughts and prayers” from the president.
President Trump tweeted that he had been briefed on the shooting and his “thoughts and prayers” were with the victims and their families, but refused to answer reporters questions about the shooting or issue an on-camera statement about it.President Trump tweeted that he had been briefed on the shooting and his “thoughts and prayers” were with the victims and their families, but refused to answer reporters questions about the shooting or issue an on-camera statement about it.
"Can you please talk to us about the dead reporters in Annapolis?"“Do you have any words of condolence for the families, Mr. President?”"Why are you walking away?"Pres. Trump does not comment when asked about the deadly Maryland newsroom shooting.https://t.co/5ZcmEVQW9z pic.twitter.com/heIzI7S4Ck"Can you please talk to us about the dead reporters in Annapolis?"“Do you have any words of condolence for the families, Mr. President?”"Why are you walking away?"Pres. Trump does not comment when asked about the deadly Maryland newsroom shooting.https://t.co/5ZcmEVQW9z pic.twitter.com/heIzI7S4Ck
“I have heard that President Trump sends his prayers,” said staff writer Selene San Felice. “I’m not trying to make this political, but we need more than prayers. I want your prayers, but I want something else.”“I have heard that President Trump sends his prayers,” said staff writer Selene San Felice. “I’m not trying to make this political, but we need more than prayers. I want your prayers, but I want something else.”
“This is going to be a story for how many days? Less than a week? People will forget about us in less than a week,” she told CNN. “I’m going to need more than a couple of days of news coverage and thoughts and prayers, our whole lives have been shattered.”“This is going to be a story for how many days? Less than a week? People will forget about us in less than a week,” she told CNN. “I’m going to need more than a couple of days of news coverage and thoughts and prayers, our whole lives have been shattered.”
San Felice told of how she and a colleague had hidden under a desk when the gunman entered the building and had herself been praying while the shooting had been going on, but suggested she wanted more in response to the violence.San Felice told of how she and a colleague had hidden under a desk when the gunman entered the building and had herself been praying while the shooting had been going on, but suggested she wanted more in response to the violence.
“Thank you for your prayers, but I couldn’t give a fuck about them if there’s nothing else.”“Thank you for your prayers, but I couldn’t give a fuck about them if there’s nothing else.”
Phil Davis, another staff writer at the newspaper, told CNN: “I was praying when he started reloading that shotgun that there weren’t going to be more bodies, but if we’re in a position in this society where all we can offer is prayers, where are we as a society?”Phil Davis, another staff writer at the newspaper, told CNN: “I was praying when he started reloading that shotgun that there weren’t going to be more bodies, but if we’re in a position in this society where all we can offer is prayers, where are we as a society?”
The suspect in today’s attack has been named by various news outlets as Jarrod W. Ramos, 38, from Laurel, Maryland.The suspect in today’s attack has been named by various news outlets as Jarrod W. Ramos, 38, from Laurel, Maryland.
Ramos has been named by the Washington Post citing police sources, and was earlier named by the Baltimore Sun, the sister newspaper of the Capital Gazette, where the attack took place.Ramos has been named by the Washington Post citing police sources, and was earlier named by the Baltimore Sun, the sister newspaper of the Capital Gazette, where the attack took place.
The Washington Post wrote that a bulletin emailed to Maryland law enforcement officials identified the shooting suspect as Jarrod Ramos and police were searching an apartment in Laurel tied to Ramos.The Washington Post wrote that a bulletin emailed to Maryland law enforcement officials identified the shooting suspect as Jarrod Ramos and police were searching an apartment in Laurel tied to Ramos.
The Guardian has not been able to independently verify his identity and police said earlier today they would not be releasing the name of the suspect, who is in custody, until tomorrow morning.The Guardian has not been able to independently verify his identity and police said earlier today they would not be releasing the name of the suspect, who is in custody, until tomorrow morning.
Ramos filed a defamation case against the Capital Gazette in 2012 for a column written about him by columnist Eric Hartley, which he lost in 2015.Ramos filed a defamation case against the Capital Gazette in 2012 for a column written about him by columnist Eric Hartley, which he lost in 2015.
Columnist and assistant editor Rob Hiaasen has been named by the Baltimore Sun as one of the five people killed in a shooting at the Sun’s sister publication, the Capital Gazette.Columnist and assistant editor Rob Hiaasen has been named by the Baltimore Sun as one of the five people killed in a shooting at the Sun’s sister publication, the Capital Gazette.
The veteran newspaper reporter had been a features writer for the Baltimore Sun for 17 years before he joined the Capital in 2010. In addition to his editing duties, he wrote a Sunday column on topics ranging from bat houses to snow snorkeling.The veteran newspaper reporter had been a features writer for the Baltimore Sun for 17 years before he joined the Capital in 2010. In addition to his editing duties, he wrote a Sunday column on topics ranging from bat houses to snow snorkeling.
On Tuesday night, Capital photojournalist Paul W Gillespie tweeted praise for the editor, who had ordered pizza to sustain the newsroom on an election night.On Tuesday night, Capital photojournalist Paul W Gillespie tweeted praise for the editor, who had ordered pizza to sustain the newsroom on an election night.
Props to @capgaznews assistant editor Rob Hiaasen. When my cell phone rang I thought he would be adding to my assignments, but he was actually asking what kind of election night pizza I wanted. Awesome move in my book. Thanks.Props to @capgaznews assistant editor Rob Hiaasen. When my cell phone rang I thought he would be adding to my assignments, but he was actually asking what kind of election night pizza I wanted. Awesome move in my book. Thanks.
Hiaasen’s brother, Carl Hiaasen, is a well known author and journalist.Hiaasen’s brother, Carl Hiaasen, is a well known author and journalist.
“I just want people to know what an in­cred­ibly gentle, generous and gifted guy my brother was,” Carl Hiaasen told the Washington Post Thursday night. “He was an unforgettably warm and uplifting presence as a father and brother, but he also had dedicated his whole life to journalism.”“I just want people to know what an in­cred­ibly gentle, generous and gifted guy my brother was,” Carl Hiaasen told the Washington Post Thursday night. “He was an unforgettably warm and uplifting presence as a father and brother, but he also had dedicated his whole life to journalism.”
Lieutenant Ryan Frashure of the Anne Arundel county police just told CNN that reports about the suspect’s fingerprints having been mutilated are false.Lieutenant Ryan Frashure of the Anne Arundel county police just told CNN that reports about the suspect’s fingerprints having been mutilated are false.
“It is simply not true that he obliterated his fingerprints,” Frashure told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.“It is simply not true that he obliterated his fingerprints,” Frashure told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
At this evening’s press conference, acting police chief Krampf had said only that he did not know about the reports that the suspect had attempted to hide his identity my mutilating his fingers.At this evening’s press conference, acting police chief Krampf had said only that he did not know about the reports that the suspect had attempted to hide his identity my mutilating his fingers.
But when Cooper asked for clarification, Frashure repeated: “He definitely didn’t obliterate them.”But when Cooper asked for clarification, Frashure repeated: “He definitely didn’t obliterate them.”
Ben Jacobs is on the ground in Annapolis, where he just attended a press briefing by acting police chief and spoke briefly to one of the Capital Gazette’s reporters.Ben Jacobs is on the ground in Annapolis, where he just attended a press briefing by acting police chief and spoke briefly to one of the Capital Gazette’s reporters.
Pat Furgurson, a veteran journalist for the Capital Gazette stood behind the police during the press conference, in an untucked blue shirt and rumpled khakis, recording audio and even getting in a question.Pat Furgurson, a veteran journalist for the Capital Gazette stood behind the police during the press conference, in an untucked blue shirt and rumpled khakis, recording audio and even getting in a question.
Afterwards, Furgurson spoke briefly to his fellow reporters. Visibly shaken, he said that the victims were “just trying to do their job for the public.”Afterwards, Furgurson spoke briefly to his fellow reporters. Visibly shaken, he said that the victims were “just trying to do their job for the public.”
“Something like this might happen in Afghanistan or Iraq or something like that, but you don’t expect it in a sleepy office across the street from a local mall,” he said, before promising that the Capital Gazette would be published on Friday: “We’re still putting out a newspaper.”“Something like this might happen in Afghanistan or Iraq or something like that, but you don’t expect it in a sleepy office across the street from a local mall,” he said, before promising that the Capital Gazette would be published on Friday: “We’re still putting out a newspaper.”
When asked if he had any message for others, Furgurson choked up and paused for a minute. “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding,” he said, before walking away.When asked if he had any message for others, Furgurson choked up and paused for a minute. “What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding,” he said, before walking away.
He had a story to file.He had a story to file.
At this evening’s press conference, Krampf provided further information and some clarifications about the shooting:At this evening’s press conference, Krampf provided further information and some clarifications about the shooting:
The suspect is a white male in his late 30s who is a resident of Maryland.The suspect is a white male in his late 30s who is a resident of Maryland.
The suspected explosive device recovered by law enforcement was actually canisters of smoke grenades, some of which the suspect used inside the building.The suspected explosive device recovered by law enforcement was actually canisters of smoke grenades, some of which the suspect used inside the building.
Krampf said he had no information about the reports that the suspect had mutilated his fingerprints, nor about the use of facial recognition technology for identification.Krampf said he had no information about the reports that the suspect had mutilated his fingerprints, nor about the use of facial recognition technology for identification.
Law enforcement has secured the suspect’s residence and is working on getting search warrants.Law enforcement has secured the suspect’s residence and is working on getting search warrants.
The mass shooting that left five people dead at the headquarters of an Annapolis newspaper was “a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette”, acting police chief William Krampf said at a press conference.The mass shooting that left five people dead at the headquarters of an Annapolis newspaper was “a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette”, acting police chief William Krampf said at a press conference.
“This person was prepared to shoot people,” Krampf said of the suspect. “His intent was to cause harm.”“This person was prepared to shoot people,” Krampf said of the suspect. “His intent was to cause harm.”
Authorities have not released any information as to a motive for the attack, but Krampf said that they were investigating threats sent to the Capital Gazette through social media as recently as today.Authorities have not released any information as to a motive for the attack, but Krampf said that they were investigating threats sent to the Capital Gazette through social media as recently as today.
The threats “indicated violence”, Krampf said.The threats “indicated violence”, Krampf said.
In addition to the five fatalities, at least three people were taken to hospital with injuries.In addition to the five fatalities, at least three people were taken to hospital with injuries.
A spokesperson for the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center confirmed by email that the hospital is treating one victim, but did not provide any further information about the patient’s status.A spokesperson for the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center confirmed by email that the hospital is treating one victim, but did not provide any further information about the patient’s status.
A spokeswoman for Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis said that the hospital had treated two patients with minor injuries. One of the victims has already been discharged, the spokeswoman said, and the second is likely to be discharged tonight.A spokeswoman for Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis said that the hospital had treated two patients with minor injuries. One of the victims has already been discharged, the spokeswoman said, and the second is likely to be discharged tonight.
The Associated Press is reporting that the suspect in the shooting mutilated his fingers in an apparent attempt to prevent law enforcement from identifying him by his fingerprints.
Despite the mutilation, however, investigators were able to identify the suspect using facial recognition technology, according to the AP.
The suspect’s identity has not been released to the public.
NBC News has shared footage of President Trump walking past a group of reporters who shout questions about the shooting. Trump had tweeted his “thoughts and prayers” for the victims and their families earlier in the day, but did not respond to questions as he made his way into the White House.
“Will you please talk to us about the dead reporters in Annapolis?” one reporter shouted, as Trump kept walking.
"Can you please talk to us about the dead reporters in Annapolis?"“Do you have any words of condolence for the families, Mr. President?”"Why are you walking away?"Pres. Trump does not comment when asked about the deadly Maryland newsroom shooting.https://t.co/5ZcmEVQW9z pic.twitter.com/heIzI7S4Ck
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted a condemnation of the “evil act of senseless violence”, adding: “A violent attack on innocent journalists doing their job is an attack on every American.”
Strongly condemn the evil act of senseless violence in Annapolis, MD. A violent attack on innocent journalists doing their job is an attack on every American. Our prayers are with the victims and their friends and families.
Sanders’ tweet follows a brief exchange between the White House pool reporter and White House deputy press secretary Lindsay Walters: “Asked about the president’s criticism of the press corps she said the president and his staff do not believe violence is acceptable in any situation ‘and we stand by that.’”
Law enforcement has not released any information as to a possible motive for the attack.
Anne Arundel County executive Steve Schuh told the Associated Press that the suspect “has not been very forthcoming”.
“To my knowledge, there was no verbal aspect to the incident where he declared his motives or anything else, so at this point we just don’t know,” Schuh said.
The Baltimore Sun has published a history of its sister newspapers, the Maryland Gazette and the Capital.
The Maryland Gazette was founded in 1727, making it the seventh newspaper in what is now the United States.
“In July 1776, the Gazette was one of the first newspapers to publish the Declaration of Independence, although it appeared on page 2; then, as now, local news took precedence,” writes Sun reporter Chris Kaltenbach.
The Capital was founded in 1884, and the two papers merged in 1919. The papers were sold to the Baltimore Sun Media Group in 2014.
Jimmy DeButts, an editor for the Capital Gazette, wrote about the work of the paper’s staff in a series of tweets.
Devastated & heartbroken. Numb. Please stop asking for information/interviews. I’m in no position to speak, just know @capgaznews reporters & editors give all they have every day. There are no 40 hour weeks, no big paydays - just a passion for telling stories from our communty.
We keep doing more with less. We find ways to cover high school sports, breaking news, tax hikes, school budgets & local entertainment.
We are there in times of tragedy. We do our best to share the stories of people, those who make our community better. Please understand, we do all this to serve our community.
We try to expose corruption. We fight to get access to public records & bring to light the inner workings of government despite major hurdles put in our way. The reporters & editors put their all into finding the truth. That is our mission. Will always be.
Capital Gazette reporter Chase Cook reiterated Joshua McKerrow’s promise in a tweet, writing, “I can tell you this: We are putting out a damn paper tomorrow.”
Ben Jacobs is on the ground at the site of the shooting.
The scene in Annapolis mixed the mundane with the grotesque.
The office building that held the Capital Gazette was ringed by emergency vehicles of every type: police cars, fire trucks, ambulances and a mobile command center or two. Helicopters whirled over ahead while police officers in tactical vests and even camouflage milled about off in the distance
The building, across the street from a popular shopping mall, could have been anywhere the the United States from Annapolis, Maryland to Yuma, Arizona. It held a variety of professional offices. There were banks with a drive through in windows both in front of the offices and across the service street that led into its parking lot.
The media nestled in a small bank of grass next to the shopping mall in front of a strip mall that advertised a “psychotherapeutics services” offices. A long row of camera crews stretched nearly a block with reporters from all over the world speaking in several different languages.
This is Julia Carrie Wong, taking over our live coverage of the Capital Gazette shooting from San Francisco.
The staff of the Capital Gazette are continuing to work and report amid extraordinary and tragic circumstances.
Joshua McKerrow, a photojournalist who said he was not in the newsroom at the time of the shooting, has been sharing photographs from the scene on Twitter. Shortly after 6pm local time, he tweeted a promise that there will be a paper produced on Friday.
Continuing to cover story with Capital journalists Chase Cook and Pat Ferguson. Thanks to our @baltimoresun colleagues who are here too. There will be a Capital Friday.
Pat Ferguson, another Capital journalist, reportedly told a CNBC reporter and former colleague that he is hard at work, “charging his phone, trying to find colleagues and ‘putting out a paper, goddamn it’”.
my high school classmate Pat Furgurson is a Capital Gazette reporter. He told his wife Becky (also a classmate) that he's safe, charging his phone, trying to find colleagues and "putting out a paper, goddamn it"
Ben Jacobs, who is on the ground in Annapolis, has been speaking to witnesses.
Carlos Linares, a mechanical engineer from Southern Maryland, was on the fourth floor of the building to see his lawyer when he heard a man shouting at about 2:55. He didn’t think much of it until several minutes later when he heard “a commotion” outside the conference room, saw people in “the corridor and the lobby”, and was told there was an active shooter.
Within a few minutes a police officer arrived and told everyone to stay where they were, Linares recalled. The police later escorted everyone out of the building with their hands up, and Linares noticed broken glass scattered on the ground on the first floor.
“I’ve never see so many cops in my life,” he said, describing seeing police in every direction and helicopters in the sky.
Linares said he was asked why he was so calm while they were waiting in the lobby. He said that he had been in the Pentagon on 9/11, albeit on the other side of the building.
At a press conference in Annapolis, local police have updated reporters on a few key details.
Police have not been yet been able to identify the suspect, who remains in police custody and is currently being interrogated.
Lt Ryan Frashure described the suspected shooter as a white man. He said he is suspected to have used a long gun in the attack.
Acting Anne Arundel county police department chief William Krampf said that officers recovered a suspected explosive device that has now “been taken care of”.
The death toll remains at five. None of the victims have been identified in public.
Lt Frashure said that the suspect did not exchange gunfire with responding officers.
Steve Schuh, county executive of Anne Arundel county, told CNN immediately after that the suspect was found by officers underneath a desk. His weapon was discovered on the ground close by.
Four victims died at the scene. One died in hospital, Schuh said.
Ben Jacobs is now on the ground in Annapolis. He’s been speaking to workers in the same building as the Capital Gazette, who heard the shooting unfold.
Bethany Clasing, a legal assistant who works a floor above the Capital-Gazette, initially wasn’t sure what she was hearing. “I didn’t think it was gunshots at first and then I heard the police and realized it has to be gunshots,” she told reporters. Working in an office with her mother, she had to convince her mother what was happening. “It’s definitely the police they were shouting to get down,” said Clasing.
She said there was a fast police response and that “pretty soon after the gun shots they were up the floor and telling us to get out.” They were then evacuated across the street to a shopping mall.
Looking back at the experience, Clasing said “I was really confused at first, it’s not like you would expect someone to come and shoot up this building.”
We’re expecting another press briefing at 5:30 ET, some reporters on the scene are suggesting that the death toll of five, which was announced earlier, may now be updated.
Five deceased is no longer accurate, per police at the scene. Would not say if it’s too high or too low. pic.twitter.com/SQ602ULg1I