Maryland newspaper shooter gets 5 life sentences without parole

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (TCD) -- The man who opened fire in the Capital Gazette newsroom in 2018 was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office tweeted the news Tuesday morning, announcing, "Moments ago, Jarrod Ramos was sentenced to five life sentences without parole plus one life sentence plus 345 years. They all will run consecutively."

In July, Ramos was found criminally responsible for killing John McNamara, Rob Hiaasen, Gerald Fischman, Wendi Winters, and Rebecca Smith.

According to the Capital Gazette, Ramos pleaded guilty in 2019 to five counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, six counts of first-degree assault, and 11 counts of using a firearm in a felony crime of violence. Along with the guilty plea, he pleaded he was not criminally responsible for the act because of mental illness.

WBAL-TV reported in 2019 Ramos entered an insanity plea. His attorneys said he "lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct."

According to NPR, Ramos became upset with the newspaper after they ran a column about him getting convicted for misdemeanor harassment in 2011.

WYPR reports Ramos pleaded guilty to harassing a former high school classmate and reportedly messaged the girl telling her to kill herself. Ramos reportedly attempted to get his conviction overturned and sued the Capital Gazette for defamation. Many of his legal battles against the paper and others were rejected.

The Capital Gazette reports Ramos allegedly studied the blueprint of the newspaper’s building, gathered weapons, and wore disguises while looking over the layout of the office.

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