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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)
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.
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.
#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 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. 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.
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.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.