US President Donald Trump has offered a rare statement of support for journalists after a gunman murdered five people at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
He said Friday (local time) at the White House that "journalists, like all Americans, should be free from the fear of being violently attacked while doing their jobs".
"Horrible, horrible event. Horrible thing happened. And your suffering, we pledge our eternal support. The suffering is so great."
It is a striking turnabout for Mr Trump, who routinely calls reporters who cover him "liars" and as recently as this week labeled them "enemies of the people".
Five people were killed and others wounded Thursday when a gunman shot his way into the newsroom of the Capital Gazette. The alleged shooter had a well-documented history of harassing the paper's journalists.
- Capital Gazette intern describes 'chaotic' scene
- Police identify victims of Capital Gazette shooting
- Milo Yiannopoulos, who called for 'vigilante squads to start gunning journalists', has no regrets after journalists gunned down
Prominent and outspoken Trump supporter Milo Yiannopoulos two days earlier called for journalists to be gunned down, but has denied any responsibility for the attacks, saying his comments were a joke.
APTN / Newshub.
