(RNN) – A gunman shot and killed at least five people and several others were wounded at the offices of the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, MD, on Thursday, Acting Chief William Krampf with Anne Arundel County Police said.
Four of the victims died at the scene. One died after being treated at a hospital trauma center.
A Capital Gazette reporter, Selene San Felice, said in an interview with Anderson Cooper on CNN that she saw another staff writer, John McNamara, shot and killed.
She also spoke about how she was feeling.
"I'm not trying to make this political, but we need more than prayers," she said. "I appreciate the prayers. I was praying the entire time I was under that desk. I want your prayers. But I want something else."
Police confirmed the five deaths, including McNamara. The other four victims were Wendi Winters, an editor; Rebecca Smith, a sales assistant; Rob Hiaasen, an editor; and Gerald Fischman, an editor.
The names and positions match those found on the Capital Gazette's staff page.
A GoFundMe started by a Bloomberg journalist has raised more than $24,000 toward a $30,000 goal so far.
The suspect is in custody. Police confirmed Jarrod Ramos, who made a defamation claim in court against the newspaper in 2012, was the shooter. The court found in favor of the paper in that case.
Krampf described the attack as "targeted" and said threats had been directed at the newspaper over social media that authorities were investigating.
"He looked for his victims as he walked through the lower level," Krampf said at an evening news conference. "His intent was to cause harm."
Police Lt. Ryan Frashure told CNN that it did not appear as if the gunman was targeting any one journalist, but rather it "seemed like he was upset at the paper as a whole."
About 170 people were inside at the time of the shooting. The building houses multiple offices.
Police originally described recovering what they thought was an improvised explosive device, which they later clarified were actually smoke grenades the gunman used as he entered the newsroom.
Law enforcement was at the scene within a minute of getting the call and quickly apprehended the suspect, County Executive Steve Schuh said.
The gunman was found under a desk. No gunfire was exchanged. Police have recovered a "long gun" they believe was used in the shooting.
Schuh praised the quick action of officers.
“It could have been a lot worse,” according to the county executive, who said the shooting didn't appear to be particularly well-planned. “It looked like amateur hour.”
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said police ran an active shooter drill last week.
Capital Gazette reporter Phil Davis was in the newsroom when the shooting took place.
"I’m a police reporter. I write about this stuff ... all the time. But as much as I’m going to try to articulate how traumatizing it is to be hiding under your desk, you don’t know until you’re there and you feel helpless,” he told the Baltimore Sun.
Davis also described the shooting on Twitter.
"A single shooter shot multiple people at my office, some of whom are dead," Davis tweeted.
"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," he continued in another tweet.
"There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload," Davis said.
An intern for the paper first tweeted about the shooting.
Active shooter 888 Bestgate please help us
— Anthony Messenger (@amesscapgaz) June 28, 2018
"Massive police response to shooting in my newsroom in Annapolis," said Joshua McKerrow, a photojournalist for the Capital Gazette.
Massive police response to shooting in my newsroom in Annapolis. @capgaznews pic.twitter.com/M1Bjwa0mMh
— Joshua McKerrow (@joshuamckerrow) June 28, 2018
Despite the shooting, the staff of the paper is still preparing to get Friday's edition out.
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.
— Joshua McKerrow (@joshuamckerrow) June 28, 2018
I can tell you this: We are putting out a damn paper tomorrow.
— Chase Cook (@chaseacook) June 28, 2018
"Absolutely devastated to learn of this tragedy in Annapolis," Gov. Larry Hogan said. "Praying for those at the scene and for our community."
Governor Larry Hogan released the following statement on today’s shooting in Annapolis: pic.twitter.com/C0cRBmf8Ot
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) June 28, 2018
President Donald Trump got word of the shooting before heading to Wisconsin for a rally.
"I was briefed on the shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland," Trump tweeted. "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."
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
The shooting comes at a time of increasing political unrest across the country and hostility towards the media. The New York Police Department said it was deploying officers to protect media organizations across the city.
We are monitoring the reports from #Annapolis and have deployed counterterrorism teams to media organizations around New York City. These deployments are not based on specific threat information, but rather a standard practice out of an abundance of caution. @NYPDCT pic.twitter.com/lHTL5gjvRf
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 28, 2018
Annapolis is the state capital of Maryland is located about 30 miles east of Washington, DC.
Copyright 2018 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
(WTXL) - At least five people are dead and a suspect is custody after a shooting at the Capital Gazette, a daily newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, officials said.
The shooter is in custody and being questioned, but isn't cooperating, according to law enforcement sources.
He mutilated his fingers, possibly to prevent police from taking his fingerprints, according to the Associated Press. Police describe the suspect as a white adult male and he was not carrying identification.
Capital Gazette crime reporter Phil Davis was in the newsroom when the shooting took place.
"I’m a police reporter. I write about this stuff ... all the time. But as much as I’m going to try to articulate how traumatizing it is to be hiding under your desk, you don’t know until you’re there and you feel helpless,” he told the Baltimore Sun.
Davis also described the shooting on Twitter.
"A single shooter shot multiple people at my office, some of whom are dead," Davis tweeted.
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
"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," he continued in another tweet.
"There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload," Davis said.
An intern for the paper first tweeted about the shooting.
Active shooter 888 Bestgate please help us
— Anthony Messenger (@amesscapgaz) June 28, 2018
Police confirmed an active shooter at the address where the paper is located.
"We do have injuries ... but we don't expect this ... to have major casualties," Lt. Rayn Frashure with the Anne Arundel County Police said. "We're doing everything possible to secure the building at this time,"
Massive police response to shooting in my newsroom in Annapolis. @capgaznews pic.twitter.com/M1Bjwa0mMh
— Joshua McKerrow (@joshuamckerrow) June 28, 2018
#update confirming active shooter at 888 Bestgate Road in Annapolis. Building evacuated. Officers continuing to search building. Relocation point is inside Lord and Taylor in the mall.
— Anne Arundel Police (@AACOPD) June 28, 2018
Out of an abundance of caution, ABC News reports NYPD will be moving police personnel to headquarters of all major media outlets in New York, including ABC News.
We are closely monitoring the reports of an active shooter incident at the Capital Gazette newspaper office in Annapolis, Maryland pic.twitter.com/BXPNKj1dwz
— NYPDCounterterrorism (@NYPDCT) June 28, 2018
ABC News reports White House deputy press secretary Lindsay Walters says President Trump has been briefed on the Annapolis shooting, per the pool. Walters says “our thoughts and prayers are with all that are affected.”
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
Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's spokeswoman, tells ABC the First Lady has also been briefed.
"Absolutely devastated to learn of this tragedy in Annapolis," Gov. Larry Hogan wrote on Twitter. "Please, heed all warnings and stay away from the area. Praying for those at the scene and for our community."
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
Devastating. My heart is with Capital Gazette and the people of Annapolis right now. As information continues to come in, I remain as grateful as ever for our first responders. If you're in the area, please stay inside and stay safe. https://t.co/PyCAjfvd1R
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) June 28, 2018
This story is developing. Please check back for more updates.
