Facial recognition used to ID suspect in Maryland newsroom shooting

Police officers walk at the scene after multiple people were shot at a newspaper’s office building in Annapolis, Maryland on Thursday, June 28, 2018. A single shooter killed several people and wounded others at The Capital Gazette on Thursday. Police say a suspect was already in custody. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

A United States official said the suspect in the shooting at a Maryland newspaper was identified using facial recognition technology.

The official said the suspect – a white male who was armed with a long gun – was identified with the technology after he had mutilated his fingerprints in what investigators believed was an attempt to prevent them from quickly identifying him.

The official was briefed on the investigation but was not authorized to discuss it publicly, and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Police said five people died in Thursday’s shooting at the building housing The Capital Gazette. Police have taken custody of the suspect, who reportedly remain uncooperative with investigators.

READ: At least five dead in Annapolis newsroom shooting

The Chicago-based publishing company for The Capital Gazette said it is “deeply saddened” by the attack on its Maryland newspaper.

Justin Dearborn, chairman and CEO of Tronc, Inc., said in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.” Dearborn said the company is focused on providing its newspaper employees and their families with support during what it called a “tragic time.”

Tronc Inc. publishes the Chicago Tribune as well as other newspapers and digital news sites in various markets.   /kga