Mass Shooting in Annapolis, Maryland, Leaves Five Dead
- Details
- Category: World News
- Published on Thursday, 28 June 2018 18:13
- Written by Janet Walker
Five employees at the Capital Gazette Newspaper were murdered when a lone white male entered the media building at approximately 2:40EST and began randomly shooting at anyone on the first floor of the four story multi-use building.
Owned by The Baltimore Sun, the Gazette, according to police had been the target of online threats over the last 24 hours. Those threats did not appear to be credible and no additional precautions or security measure were taken to combat the information.
The victims identities have not yet been made known pending next-of-kin notification. They are all expected to be employees of the newspaper.
Beltway Insider: Trump’s Border Crisis; The Numbers; UNHRC; NYC Gay Vote; GE/Disney/Comcast
Throughout the ordeal several employees were sending out tweets describing the scene.
Phil Davis, @PhilDavis_CG, a reporter, who from his tweets seemed to be in close proximity to the unfolding horror, tweeted "a single shooter shot multiple people at my office, some of whom are dead."
In a second tweet he added, "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."
A second reporter John Mckerrow, @joshuamckerrow, tweeted describing the scene, "Massive police response to shooting in my newsroom in Annapolis."
Gazette Intern Anthony Messenger, @amesscapgaz, tweeted, "Active shooter 888 Bestgate please help us."
Breaking News: Florida School Shooting Leaves 17 Dead
Deputy Chief William Krampf of the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Police at a press conference could not confirm many of the questions asked by local reporters he did however confirm the shootings were committed by a single person, a white male, in his 30's, who is in custody.
No shots were fired in subduing the suspect. He was not injured in the takedown. Early accounts of the shooting indicated he entered the building, at 888 Bestgate Avenue, a four story multi-use office building which housed along with the Capital Gazette, medical offices, and other professional companies.
A large scale tactical team responded to the Active Shooter call and arrived within 60seconds of the first call. SWAT, federal state and local officers secured the scene and apparently entered the building on multiple floors simultaneously. Gas cannisters, smokers, were found at the first floor level and had been detonated. They were used to create a diversion to scare victims into standing so to create an easier target.
Authorities also stated the individuals entered the building with the intent of causing mass casualty. He was armed with a "long gun" no make or model has been released. More than 170 employees from surrounding the Gazette and other offices within the business center.
The suspect is currently in custody and is an Maryland resident. Warrants are in process of being secured. He home will be searched once proper authority is provided.
No information was released regarding the suspects current demeanor, emotional state or level of cooperation. He is currently with detectives at No information was confirmed if the suspect was targeting a particular employee, was someone associated to the paper or a random targeted attack.
Several media sources have reported prior to the shooting the suspect had mutilated his fingertips to stall or slow the identification process. This was not confirmed.
Security throughout newspapers and media building throughout the country have been increased "not out of a specific threat but out of an abundance of caution."
This is a developing story.
#nomore
