Capital Gazette Shooting: 5 Killed, Suspect Identified

Five people were killed in a shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper.
The shootings occurred in this office complex. Google Maps

Five people have died, according to authorities.

Five people were killed Thursday and several others were injured when a gunman opened fire at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Md., according to authorities.

"A single shooter shot multiple people at my office, some of whom are dead," crime reporter Phil Davis tweeted from inside the building. 

Earlier, Davis posted, "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."

In another tweet, Davis wrote, "There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload."

Late Thursday, reporter Chase Cook tweeted the remaining staff was still at work.

A call reporting an active shooter went out at 2:34 p.m., said Anne Arundel County Police Lt. Ryan Frashure. First responders arrived in 60 seconds. The suspect was identified as Jarrod Ramos, 38, of Maryland, law enforcement sources told CBS News. He was being interrogated by detectives Thursday evening, according to acting Chief William Kramph.

The suspected gunman was not cooperating with authorities and had no identification, officials said. His fingertips had been mangled, possibly to thwart authorities from identifying him, according to some reports. 

The suspect was found cowering behind a desk and was not holding a weapon when police charged into the newspaper offices, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said. Authorities said they also removed a possible explosive device. 

A law enforcement source told CNN the suspect is believed to have had a previous interaction with an executive at the newspaper, though the source cautioned that information was preliminary. 

Threats had been sent to the paper by the suspect via social media, officials said. It was not clear whether the suspect targeted anyone specifically.

Jimmy DeButts, an editor at the Capital Gazette, tweeted he was “devastated and heartbroken” by the shooting. He said he could not speak about the shooting, but praised the work of his newspaper.

“There are no 40-hour weeks, no big paydays — just a passion for telling stories from our community,” DeButts wrote. “We keep doing more with less. We find ways to cover high school sports, breaking news, tax hikes, school budgets [and] local entertainment. We are there in times of tragedy. We do our best to share the stories of people, those who make our community better. Please understand, we do all this to serve our community.”

Davis said his office was "like a war zone" and the chaos would be "hard to describe for a while."

“I’m a police reporter. I write about this stuff — not necessarily to this extent, but shootings and death — all the time,” he said. “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.”

No details were given about a possible motive. Those who were killed have not yet been identified.

Employees inside the building were evacuated with their hands raised above their heads. 

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said he was "absolutely devastated" by the shootings, while White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said President Trump had been briefed and "our thoughts and prayers are with all that are affected."

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