'Devasting, Gut Punch': Reaction To Shooting At Capital Gazette

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Messages of sympathy, along with determination that Annapolis will not be tainted by the deadly shooting at the offices of the Capital Gazette newspaper, are pouring in from local, state and national sources.

Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley commended the quick emergency response and offered his condolences to everyone affected by the tragedy at The Capital Gazette offices. And he vowed that the make-up of the city and county won't be changed by the shooting.

"We know these reporters very well. We speak with them daily. The Capital is one of the oldest papers in our country and they have been part of the fabric of our city for centuries. Our first responders deal with these journalists, too. This is our family and today's victims were our friends," Buckley said. "Today's tragedy will not be the new normal for our city, county, state or country."

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Reaction to the shooting at one of the country's oldest newspapers prompted police to fan out to some of the major news organizations in the country for extra security. The New York Police Department deployed counterterrorism teams to news media organizations in and around New York City, which has become standard practice during terrorist and active shooter events. Police were also guarding The Sun in Baltimore.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh praised city and county police, and sheriff's officers, for getting to the shooting scene in 60 seconds and going straight into the building.

"Our community was shaken by tragedy today. The Capital and the Maryland Gazette are institutions that have served us well for so many years, and I have had the pleasure of working alongside their editors, reporters and photographers," Schuh said. "Our law enforcement professionals responded swiftly, and I thank them for protecting the public by eliminating the threat and taking the suspect into custody. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

Naval Academy graduate Sen. John McCain said on Twitter: "Cindy & I are praying for the families, friends & colleagues of the victims of the terrible shooting @capitalgazette, as well as the entire #Annapolis community."

Sen. Ben Cardin said, "Today I'm thinking about the five Maryland families who went to bed last night without their loved one. I'm thinking about the good people at @capgaznews who've lost dear friends and colleagues. My heart hurts for them. Yesterday's shooting in Annapolis was a gut punch."

Congressman Anthony G. Brown (MD-04) said Thursday was a tragic day when the Capital employees were targeted for doing their job - reporting on the community they cherished and constantly seeking the truth.

“The shooter, who had a history of harassing and abusing women, took exception with their honest reporting of the facts and resorted to a senseless act of violence. ...Gun violence has unfortunately become a daily occurrence in America. ... We have to decide if this is the kind of country we want to be. As Americans we must be united in our grief and in our outrage, but we must also be united in our resolve to do more to reduce gun violence in our communities.”

County school officials praised the newspaper staff for its ongoing coverage of the school system.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in the horrific shooting at Capital Gazette Newspapers today, and especially those who tragically lost their lives," said Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent George Arlotto. "Capital Gazette employees have passionately dedicated themselves to the delivery of high-quality community journalism, including coverage of our school system, that impacts everyone in Anne Arundel County. We grieve with them and their loved ones."

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Robin Quillon, president of the Maryland Delaware DC Press Association Board of Directors said, "Today, friends, colleagues and courageous journalists were shot at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis. Our hearts go out to the families and to the victims and we stand ready to help members of our fellow newsroom in any way. The Capital Gazette is a critical part of the community in Annapolis and in our Association. We stand firmly with them and grieve their losses."

Governor Larry Hogan released the following statement on today’s shooting in Annapolis:

"We are terribly saddened by the loss of five members of our community in today's heinous shooting. The First Lady and I are praying for the victims, those who were injured, and their families, friends, and loved ones in this time of tragedy. I am deeply grateful to the first responders who arrived at the scene within moments and saved more lives from being lost. The state will continue to provide any and all resources necessary to assist in the ongoing investigation, and support our community as we work together to recover.

"The Capital Gazette is my hometown paper, and I have the greatest respect for the fine journalists, and all the men and women, who work there," Hogan said. "They serve each day to shine light on the world around us so that we might see with more clarity and greater understanding. There is no place in our society for this kind of hatred and violence, and the individual responsible for this horrendous crime must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, offered his county's support and resources to Anne Arundel first responders, whose quick response to this incident helped to save lives.

"This attack took place at the Capital Gazette Newspaper, a well-known and important news source for the region and the state. It is a paper that is made up of real people who are committed to providing the community with important local news stories," Baker said. "I am sure no one at the newspaper ever imagined being the victims of a frightening news story today. Yet, in the face of fatal danger, they still continue to report this tragic news.

"The terror that the people in the building witnessed today is something that happens far too often in this country. As I have said before, we must move past just thoughts and prayers' and start taking more meaningful and aggressive action to end gun violence."

President Trump has also been briefed on the shooting. A White House deputy press secretary said in a statement that "our thoughts and prayers are with all that are affected."

Maryland Republican Party Chairman Dirk Haire said in statement on the shooting: "We offer our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who were horribly killed today at the Capital Gazette and hope for complete recoveries of all those who were injured."

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence issued condemned the mass shooting and called for stricter gun control.

"Our hearts and our heads are reeling today at the news of yet another tragic shooting. Yet another day where parents won't return home to their children, where more souls join the ledger of 96 people killed by gun violence every day in America" said Brady co-presidents Kris Brown and Avery Gardiner in a statement. "Yet another day where men and women who were simply trying to do their job were terrorized, hiding under desks in fear for their lives. We can't allow this to go on any longer. We can't allow America's epidemic of gun violence to continue. We must organize, we must fight, we must vote, we must stand together and say ENOUGH."

Congressman Elijah Cummings said, "My heart goes out to the families and victims of the shooting at the Capital Gazette. We have had to witness far too many of these atrocities, and it is time to put an end to them. I will continue to monitor the scene, and ask you all to keep the victims in your prayers."

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