A young man interning at the Capital Gazette newsroom where a gunman opened fire and killed at least five people Thursday posted a petrifying tweet pleading the public for help.
Anthony Messenger, a senior at Salisbury University in Maryland, shared a post to his Twitter page at approximately 2:43pm that read: ‘Active shooter 888 Bestgate please help us.’
Police responded to the scene in Annapolis around 2:40pm, just minutes prior to Messenger issuing the social media message.
Acting police chief William Kamph confirmed five people have died after 38-year-old Jarrod W. Ramos opened fire.
At least three others are ‘gravely injured’ and several others were said to be injured in the attack.
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Anthony Messenger, a football blogger intern at the Capital Gazette, tweeted out for help Thursday when a gunman came into the newsroom and opened fire
The office of the Capital Gazette newspaper is pictured in Annapolis, Maryland, June 28, 2018. At least five people were killed Thursday when a gunman opened fire inside the offices
The college senior posted to his Twitter page Thursday afternoon: ‘Active shooter 888 Bestgate please help us’
Police officials later confirmed Messenger was OK and was not injured after his plea for help.
The college senior has been interning as a football blogger for the Annapolis-based newspaper.
Ramos is currently under interrogation but is refusing to cooperate with authorities.
A motive is currently unclear.
Police responded to a shooting just minutes before Messenger posted the tweet. A photo from the scene is pictured above
Police gather near the office of the Capital Gazette Newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, on June 28, 2018
Authorities are scene outside the scene where a gunman opened fire in a newsroom Thursday in Annapolis
Ramos is currently under interrogation but refusing to cooperate with authorities. A possible motive is currently unclear
According to NBC, the shooter had been wearing a black t-shirt, olive pants and a ponytail hairstyle when he entered the offices and opened fire.
CBS reported the gunman had purposely damaged his fingertips to make it difficult for investigators to retrieve his identity.
Ramos was found by police underneath a desk and a weapon was located nearby.
A long gun and an explosive device were recovered at the scene. Authorities said they do not believe any other explosives were at the site.
Police said the device had been ‘taken care of’ but have yet to elaborate.
Further investigation is underway.