Annapolis: Five people have been confirmed killed in a shooting at the offices of the Capital Gazette, a daily newspaper published in Annapolis, a historic city an hour east of Washington.
“There’s five fatalities that we know of. There’s several other persons that are gravely injured. We’ll have more information for you in the next briefing,” acting police chief of Anne Arundel county Bill Krampf told reporters.
Steve Schuhn, county executive, added: “The suspect is being interviewed by detectives.”
A reporter for the Capital Gazette, Phil Davis, tweeted that a “gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.” He said several people were killed.
“There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you’re under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,” Davis said.
The newspaper is located in a four-story office building in Annapolis, the capital of the US state of Maryland.
The White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed.
“ATF Baltimore is responding to a shooting incident at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis,” the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco said on Twitter.
The local Anne Arundel police force added: “Confirming active shooter at 888 Bestgate Road in Annapolis. Building evacuated. Officers continuing to search building.”
“Absolutely devastated to learn of this tragedy in Annapolis,” Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said. “Please, heed all warnings and stay away from the area. Praying for those at the scene and for our community.”