Maryland State Wire

Maryland state flags remain at half staff following the deaths of four journalists and a sales assistant during a shooting last week in the newsroom of the Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis.

"As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on June 28, 2018, in Annapolis, against employees of the Capital Gazette, Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the Maryland state flag be lowered to half-staff effective immediately," said a flag status alert issued shortly after the shootings June 28.

Maryland's state flags are to remain at half staff until sunset on Monday, July 2, according to the flag status alert.

"With the lowering of the Maryland flag, we honor the dedicated journalists of our hometown newspaper in our state’s capital," Hogan said in statement released simultaneous to the state flag alert. "To the family, friends, and colleagues at the Capital Gazette and its parent company, the Baltimore Sun, you have the deepest sympathies of a state in mourning."

Capital Gazette Managing Editor Rob Hiaasen, Editorial Page Editor Gerald Fischman, features reporter Wendi Winters, reporter John McNamara and sales assistant Rebecca Smith were killed in Thursday’s shooting when the alleged gunman, 38-year-old Jarrod Warren Ramos, walked into the newsroom, barricaded the door and opened fire. Ramos faces five counts of first-degree murder. Two other newspaper employees suffered non-life threatening injuries during the shooting.

"There is no amount of clarity that will ever explain or nullify the pain that comes with losing so many lives for so little reason; journalism is a noble profession upon which our democracy depends, and we will fight to defend it," Hogan said in his statement.

As news about the shooting was breaking, Hogan took to Twitter to comment during the immediate aftermath. "Absolutely devastated to learn of this tragedy in Annapolis,” the governor said in that Tweet. “I am in contact with County Executive Steve Schuh, and @MDSP is on the scene assisting @AACOPD. Please, heed all warnings and stay away from the area. Praying for those at the scene and for our community.”

President Donald Trump also posted to his own Twitter account to offer condolences shortly after the shooting. "Prior to departing Wisconsin, I was briefed on the shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland," the President said during his Twitter post. "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."

First Lady Melania Trump also added her own Tweet that same day. 

"Today's violence at the Capital Gazette was tragic & evil. My heart goes out to all affected in this brutal & senseless attack, & I send thoughts & prayers for comfort to the friends, family & colleagues of those killed & injured," the First :ady's tweet said.

On Saturday, June 30, Annapolis' Mayor Gavin Buckley reportedly called for the president to lower U.S. flags to half mast. Trump previously ordered flags across the nation to be lowered to half staff following mass shootings at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, and at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.