Capital Gazette Shooting: 5 Employees Killed As Man Opens Fire In Maryland

Update: 12:30 a.m. EDT — The Capital Gazette announced it will publish the newspaper on Friday despite the tragedy.

"Yes, we’re putting out a damn paper tomorrow," the paper announced in a tweet, which contained an image of the front page of its Friday edition.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe started by Bloomberg reporter Madi Alexander raised $50,000, in just 8 hours, the Guardian reported. The sum will be used to meet medical bills, funeral costs, repairs, and any other expenses related to the shooting incident.

Original story:

In a chilling incident, a gunman opened fire at the Capital Gazette newspaper office in Annapolis, Maryland, on Thursday, killing five people and injuring at least three.

The shooting took place at 888 Bestgate Road, where the Capital Gazette office was situated, at around 2:35 p.m. EDT when the gunman barged into the office and opened fire. Four persons died at the spot while a fifth succumbed to injuries while on the way to the hospital.

The victims, all employees of the Gazette, include Rob Hiaasen, assistant news editor, Gerald Fischman, editorial page editor, Wendi Winters, special publications editor, Rebecca Smith, sales assistant, and John McNamara, staff writer.

The shooting has prompted a massive police response. They later took the suspect, Jarrod W. Ramos, into custody. Members of the police tactical team took over the building and further investigations are on. Police said around 170 people were evacuated from the building.

Speaking at a news conference later in the day, acting Anne Arundel County Police Chief William Krampf said, “This was a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette. He looked for his victims as he walked through the lower level.”

Investigations also revealed that Ramos used a shotgun to commit the crime.

President Donald Trump offered his condolences and 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.”

Responding to the incident, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, tweeted: “Absolutely devastated to learn of this tragedy in Annapolis.”

Pat Furgurson, a journalist at the Capital Gazette, said: “Something like this might happen in Afghanistan or Iraq or something like that, but you don’t expect it in a sleepy office across the street from a local mall.”

“We’re still putting out a newspaper,” he added.

This is a breaking story.