BALTIMORE _ A shooting has occurred at the Capital Gazette in Anne Arundel County, a paper that is owned by The Baltimore Sun, according to police and Gazette staff members.
Anne Arundel County Police confirmed there was an "active shooter" at 888 Bestgate Road, where the newspaper's offices are located. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed it was responding to a "shooting incident" at the Gazette.
Lt. Ryan Frashure, Anne Arundel County police spokesman, said he could not confirm if there were any fatalities, only that there were several injuries. He said that once the building is secured he would release information about the suspect and the injuries.
"We're doing our very best," he said.
Phil Davis, a Gazette crime reporter who was there at the time of the shooting, said that multiple people had been shot, as others _ himself included _ hid under their desks. He said there was a lone male gunman.
"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," Davis wrote on Twitter as he waited to be interviewed by police. "There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload."
In a subsequent interview, Davis said it "was like a war zone" inside the newspaper's offices _ a situation that would be "hard to describe for a while."
"I'm a police reporter. I write about this stuff _ not necessarily to this extent, but shootings and death _ all the time," he said. "But as much as I'm going to try to articulate how traumatizing it is to be hiding under your desk, you don't know until you're there and you feel helpless."
Davis said he and others were still hiding under their desks when the shooter stopped firing. "I don't know why. I don't know why he stopped," he said.
Police then arrived and surrounded the shooter, Davis said. He declined to elaborate.
Police said the building was being evacuated as officers continued searching it.
Agents with the ATF were on the scene in Annapolis to provide support to local law enforcement, said Amanda Hils, a spokeswoman for the federal agency. ATF can help with tracing weapons, conducting interviews and other assistance.
A White House spokeswoman said President Donald Trump was briefed on the shooting. Lindsay Walters, the spokeswoman, said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with all that are affected."
Gov. Larry Hogan, on Twitter, wrote, "Absolutely devastated to learn of this tragedy in Annapolis."
He said he was in contact with County Executive Steve Schuh, and that Maryland State Police were on the scene assisting county police.
"Please, heed all warnings and stay away from the area. Praying for those at the scene and for our community," he wrote.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen wrote on Twitter, "My heart is with the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims as we learn more about this terrible situation. We must unite to end the violence."
Police were also at The Baltimore Sun newsroom in Baltimore. Police said there was no threat on the Sun, and that their presence was a precaution.
.png?w=600)
