The White House on Thursday said President Trump is closely monitoring a newsroom shooting in , Md. and does not condone violence against journalists in any situation.
“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,” Trump tweeted en route back to Washington on Air Force One.
He added: “Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene.”
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2018
White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters told reporters traveling with the president that he and his staff do not believe violence is acceptable and any situation, and they “stand by that” in light of Thursday’s shooting inside a newsroom, where several injuries and at least five fatalities occurred.
A gunman entered the Capitol Gazette at around 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, according to local law enforcement authorities. The building in which the shooting occurred is still being evacuated and searched by police, though a suspect has been placed in custody.
“There are several people who have died from this incident,” Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh told reporters on the scene, adding that “the shooter is in custody and being interrogate.”
Police arrived on the scene Thursday within 60 seconds of receiving reports of an active shooter at the newspaper, which is owned by the Baltimore Sun.
Trump has been a steadfast critic of media coverage of his administration, often accusing reporters of concocting negative stories, or focusing too much on personnel changes and disputes while paying little attention his accomplishments.
