A shooting at an Annapolis, Maryland, Thursday afternoon newsroom left at least five dead, and several more injured.
The shooting occurred at the Capital Gazette, a local newspaper around 3:15pm ET. A suspect has been identified as Jarrod Ramos, who had previously sued the newspaper. On Friday, Ramos was charged with five counts of murder.
In a press conference, Anne Arundel County Acting Police Chief Bill Krampf said that the paper had been on the receiving end of threats that “indicated violence.”
Before Ramos was identified, Anne Arundel County police spokesman Ryan Frashure said, “It was quite obvious that this person had some sort of vendetta against the Capital newspaper.”
News of the shooting broke when an intern on the staff posted on Twitter about an “active shooter.”
Active shooter 888 Bestgate please help us
— Anthony Messenger (@anthonydmess) June 28, 2018
@baltimoresun John macnamara has been shot @AACOPD
— Anthony Messenger (@anthonydmess) June 28, 2018
Multiple outlets reported the Ramos was armed with a shotgun. Police eventually identified it as “long gun.”
A reporter for the Capital Gazette, Phil Davis, told the Baltimore Sun (which owns the Gazette) that multiple people were shot in his office. He also tweeted about the events.
A single shooter shot multiple people at my office, some of whom are dead.
— Phil Davis (@PDavis_LLC) June 28, 2018
Gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees. Can't say much more and don't want to declare anyone dead, but it's bad.
— Phil Davis (@PDavis_LLC) June 28, 2018
There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload
— Phil Davis (@PDavis_LLC) June 28, 2018
Other members of the staff and their friends tweeted about their safety.
To all my Twitter follows. I am okay. Thank God I was not at the office when this horrible incident occurred. However, many of my colleagues and friends are not okay and that is solely where my thoughts are right now. Please do not attempt to contact me via text or phone call.
— Bill Wagner (@BWagner_CapGaz) June 28, 2018
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”
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) June 28, 2018
On Twitter, Capital Gazette editor Jimmy DeButts said he was “Devastated & heartbroken.”
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.
— Jimmy DeButts 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@jd3217) June 28, 2018
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) said he was “absolutely devastated” and was monitoring the situation.
Absolutely devastated to learn of this tragedy in Annapolis. I am in contact with County Executive Steve Schuh, and @MDSP is on the scene assisting @AACOPD. Please, heed all warnings and stay away from the area. Praying for those at the scene and for our community. https://t.co/bI6PdUjHfh
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) June 28, 2018
The president of the Society of Professional Journalists, Rebecca Baker, said in a statement that “SPJ is deeply saddened by the reports from Annapolis, Maryland, that a shooter entered the Annapolis Capital Gazette building and shot several people. Our hearts go out to the victims and their family, friends and colleagues. We are ready to help in any way we can.”
This story is developing and will be updated.