UPDATE: Maryland Shooting Victims Are ‘in God’s Embrace’
A gunman opened fire in a Maryland newsroom, killing at least five while several others are “gravely injured.”
“Those fatalities are so sad and I don’t know what to say except our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and we take comfort knowing they’re in God’s embrace,” Steve Schuh, Anne Arundel county executive, says.
The gunman, who is now in custody, opened fire in Annapolis’ Capital-Gazette. Police were reportedly on the scene in 60 seconds.
CBS News correspondent David Begnaud says the shooter is not cooperating, and refuses to give his name.
The motive of the shooting is currently unknown, though the New York Police Department has launched counterterrorism measures around their city’s newsrooms.
Due to the shooting at the Capitol Gazette newspaper in Maryland, the NYPD has deployed counterterrorism teams to media organizations in an around New York City. pic.twitter.com/z5AdGm9ffg
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 28, 2018
CNBC White House Correspondent Christina Wilkie says the suspect in custody is white, and appears to be younger, in his 20s or 30s.
Capital-Gazette crime reporter Phil Davis started tweeting after he escaped.
A single shooter shot multiple people at my office, some of whom are dead.
— 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.
— 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
Christian leaders also took to social media to respond to the incident.
The world waits to see if the Capital Gazette shooting was motivated by ideological hatred and, if so, from which direction. The fact that we are asking might already tell us the answer: the hatred and the rhetoric of late is going to end with getting someone killed. Let’s stop.
— Ed Stetzer (@edstetzer) June 28, 2018
All the details are not yet known, but pray for those impacted by this shooting at a newspaper office in Annapolis, MD. https://t.co/tvFKEYkms7
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) June 28, 2018
BREAKING: “Our thoughts and prayers are with all that are affected” @POTUS remarks after reports multiple people shot at The Capital newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
— Ben Kennedy (@BenKennedyTV) June 28, 2018
From the editor-in-chief of the @capgaznews: https://t.co/iR27RSyHmw
— Cathleen Falsani (@godgrrl) June 28, 2018
I know there are a lot of pastors and ministers who follow me on here, so I want to encourage you to reach out to journalists in your congregation. They’ve needed your support for the last few years, and from what I consistently hear, few are getting it.
— Alissa Wilkinson (@alissamarie) June 28, 2018
May we be united in our prayers for those killed and injured in today’s shooting in Annapolis. We also pray for their families, the entire community and the end of all violence in our world.
— Bishop Burbidge (@BishopBurbidge) June 28, 2018
For the unaware: Many journalists receive death threats — yes, that includes me. One time I didn’t even learn about it until after my boss pulled me aside to show it to me.
I remember learning to shake it off, compartmentalize it, say “this is journalism.”
But it shouldn’t be.
— Jack Jenkins (@jackmjenkins) June 28, 2018
Oh, mercy. 5 people killed. Others wounded.
And the @capgaznews is reporting the news.https://t.co/3RuH9SZSQR— Bob Smietana (@bobsmietana) June 28, 2018
Heartbroken over the news coming out of Annapolis tonight. Join your Z in prayer tonight for the families, friends and coworkers receiving devastating news tonight. Jesus, we need more of you. pic.twitter.com/qX4KbydCYC
— Z88.3 FM (@Z883FM) June 28, 2018