Five deaths have been confirmed and multiple people have been injured in a Thursday shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis. WYPR News Director Joel McCord has been at the scene and spoke with All Things Considered host Audie Cornish this afternoon.
Last update 8:28 p.m.
Speaking at an 8 p.m. press conference, officials with the Anne Arundel County Police Department confirmed this information:
- A white male in his late 30s in custody.
- Investigators are interviewing him now.
- The suspect entered the building with a shotgun and he looked for his victims as he walked through the lower level.
- Officials are in the process of notifying next of kin.
- There are two confirmed injuries. Officials said the injuries are "superficial," possibly from glass from the shotgun blast.
- Officials are working on securing the suspect's residence and are preparing search warrants.
- The suspect lives in Maryland.
- The suspect entered the building with a canister of smoke grenades.
- Bestgate Road is now open.
- 170 people were evacuated out of the building on Bestgate Road. The building will be secured for some time. Several businesses are located inside the building.
- The Department is hearing that the suspect had some sort of previous history with the newspaper and possibly sent threats on social media.
- Anne Arundel County Deputy Police Chief William Krampf said "This was a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette. This person was prepared to come in. To shoot people. His intent was to cause harm."
Stay updated
- Anne Arundel County Police Department Twitter @AACOPD
- Capital Gazette Twitter @capgaznews
- WYPR Twitter @WYPR881FM
The Anne Arundel County Police Department has set up a phone line for family and friends seeking information regarding the incident at 410-768-5522.
