Trump condemns 'horrific' attack on newspaper, saying journalists 'should be free from the fear of being violently attacked while doing their jobs'

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Addressing a shooting that occurred at a Maryland newspaper, Trump on Friday said, "Journalists like all Americans should be free from the fear of being violently attacked while doing their jobs."

• President Donald Trump on Friday publicly addressed the deadly shooting at a newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland the day prior, describing the incident as "horrific."
• "Journalists, like all Americans, should live without fear while doing their job," Trump said. 
• Five people were killed in the shooting at the Capital Gazette newsroom. 

President Donald Trump on Friday publicly addressed the deadly shooting at a newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland the day prior, describing the incident as "horrific."

"This attack shocked the conscience of our nation and filled our hearts with grief," Trump said. "Journalists, like all Americans, should live without fear while doing their job."

Trump added, "My government will not rest until we have done everything in our power to reduce violent crime and to protect innocent life."

Trump also addressed the shooting in a tweet on Thursday, stating: "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."

The president's troubled relationship with the media have led some to blame him for what occurred, despite the fact there's no conclusive evidence the suspect was motivated by Trump's rhetoric. 

Some pointed to the fact Trump has described the media as the "enemy" of the American people to bolster this argument. 

The alleged perpetrator of Thursday's shooting reportedly had a long history of animosity toward the Capital Gazette after taking issue with its reporting on a harassment case in which he pleaded guilty. 

Five people were killed in the shooting.