Sarah Huckabee Sanders condemns 'evil act of senseless violence' after newspaper office shooting in Maryland
- White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded to news of the mass shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, calling it an "evil act of senseless violence."
- Earlier, President Trump tweeted that his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."
- Thursday's shooting marks the 154th mass shooting in the US so far in 2018.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responded to news of the shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, which killed five and injured several others.
In a tweet on Thursday evening, Sanders wrote: "Strongly condemn the evil act of senseless violence in Annapolis MD."
She continued: "A violent attack on innocent journalists doing their job is an attack on every American. Our prayers are with the victims and their friends and families. "
Earlier, President Donald Trump tweeted that his "thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Thank you to all of the First Responders who are currently on the scene."
However, when later approached by reporters for comment on the shooting as he walked toward the White House from Marine One, Trump remained silent.
"Can you please talk to us about the dead reporters in Annapolis?" one reporter can be heard asking. Another asks if he has any words of condolences for the families, but the usually outspoken president continued walking silently.
Critics have pointed to Trump's history of attacking the news media, but it was not immediately clear whether the president's rhetoric ever motivated the suspected gunman.
Thursday's shooting marks the 154th mass shooting in the US so far in 2018. Five people were killed and several others were "gravely injured" after a gunman shot through the glass door of Capital Gazette's newsroom and opened fire on multiple employees.
One suspect is in custody. Police have identified him as a man in his late 30s. Multiple news outlets reported the suspected gunman's name as Jarrod Ramos.