Five Dead, More “Gravely Injured” After Gunman Opens Fire At Annapolis Newspaper
UPDATED: Five fatalities and several people are “gravely injured” after a gunman opened fire inside ..
UPDATED: Five fatalities and several people are “gravely injured” after a gunman opened fire inside the newsroom at a Baltimore Sun-owned newspaper in Annapolis, Md. this afternoon. Police who responded to the building within about one and a half minutes of receiving a call for help, engaged the gunman, who weapon of choice was a shotgun. The gunman is in custody but is not cooperating with investigators, authorities report.
Police rushed to the Capital Gazette Newspaper; they also went to the Baltimore Sun as a precaution. And, NYPD is among police departments to send cops to media companies in other markets as a precaution, fearing possible copycatting.
President Donald Trump, who repeatedly has declared the media to be the enemy of the people, was briefed about the shooting. He has tweeted:
Prior to departing Wisconsin, I was briefed on the shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2018
Walking across the White House lawn upon his return to Washington, Trump dodged all question shouted to him by reporters about the shooting and his past remarks:
"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
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 28, 2018
Capital Gazettes crime reporter Phil Davis tweeted from inside the building, immediately after the shooting:
A single shooter shot multiple people at my office, some of whom are dead.
— Phil Davis (@PhilDavis_CG) 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 (@PhilDavis_CG) 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 (@PhilDavis_CG) June 28, 2018
In an interview after the shooting Davis said he still was under their desks when the shooter stopped firing, saying he did not know why the gunman stopped.
Anne Arundel County Exec Steve Schuh told press the gunman had discarded his weapon and was hiding under a desk when police located him.
Four of the dead died on scene in the newsroom; one victim died while being treated at the University of Maryland, authorities told press.
An intern at the newspaper tweeted a call for help when the incident began.
“Annapolis” quickly became a Twitter top trender, worldwide, and the conversation including this:
If you are blaming either President Trump or Maxine Waters for the Annapolis @capgaznews shooting before anyone knows anything about anything, you're wack.
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) June 28, 2018
Maryland State Police responded to the shooting around 3 PM ET. Local police reported “active shooter” at the newspapers address in Annapolis, about 32 miles from Washington, D.C.
FBI and ATF also responded to the shooting:
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has tweeted urging people to stay away:
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
