Suspect in Maryland newspaper rampage denied bail

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland. (AP) — A man with a long grudge against Maryland’s capital-city newspaper was ordered remanded in jail Friday on five counts of first-degree murder after police said he blasted his way into the newsroom with a pump-action shotgun, killing five people in one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in U.S. history.

Jarrod W. Ramos, 38, was swiftly arrested as he tried to hide under a desk Thursday afternoon at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, police said.

“The fellow was there to kill as many people as he could kill,” Anne Arundel County Chief Timothy Altomare said.

Ramos was “uncooperative” with his interrogators, police said, and in court papers, authorities described him as “recalcitrant".

Appearing by in court via video before he was denied bail, he appeared to watch attentively but never spoke. His public defenders had no immediate comment outside court.

President Donald Trump said the attack filled Americans’ hearts with grief.

“Journalists, like all Americans, should be free from the fear of being violently attacked while doing their jobs,” he said.

Prosecutor Wes Adams said Ramos carefully planned the attack, barricading the back door so victims couldn’t escape, and using “a tactical approach in hunting down and shooting the innocent people".

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-449-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.