GUNMAN TARGETS US NEWSPAPER, FIVE KILLED
CHARGED WITH MURDER Shooter was identified using facialrecognition technology, denied bail by court
WASHINGTON : A man carrying a shotgun and smoke bombs blasted his way into a newspaper office in the US state of Maryland on Thursday, killing five people and injuring two. The shooting, being described as the deadliest attacks on journalists in American history, occurred at the offices of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis — a suburb of US capital Washington.
WASHINGTON: A man carrying a shotgun and smoke bombs blasted his way into a newspaper office in the US state of Maryland on Thursday, killing five people and injuring two.
The shooting, being described as the deadliest attacks on journalists in American history, occurred at the offices of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis — a suburb of US capital Washington.
All five killed were employees of the publication — assistant managing editor Robert Hiaason, features writer Wendi Winters, Oped page editor Gerald Fischman, reporter John McNamara, and Rebecca Smith, who worked in marketing.
Jarrod Ramos, the 39-year-old alleged shooter, was found hiding under a desk at the office by law enforcement officers. Police said he had used a “pump-action” shotgun that he had purchased legally a year ago. Ramos was not carrying any identification on him at the time of the attack and was identified with the help of facial-recognition technology.
He has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, and appearing in court via video feed, he was denied bail.
“This was a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette,” Anne Arundel county deputy police chief William Krampf told reporters. “This person was prepared today to come in. He was prepared to shoot people. His intent was to cause harm.”
The attack on the newspaper came amid months of verbal and online attacks on the “fake news media” from politicians starting from President Donald Trump on down, and prompted law enforcement agencies across the country to provide protection at the headquarters of media organisations.
Witnesses said Ramos shot his way into the office, blasting off the glass door and went around the main office shooting people.
The newspaper’s editor Jimmy DeButts tweeted: “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.”
Phil Davis, a crime reporter with the publication, tweeted as the shooting was unfolding: “Gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.
“There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you’re under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,” he wrote.
Trump tweeted he was briefed on the shooting, adding: “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”.