Capital Gazette Calls for Volunteer Journalists to Help Publish Newspaper in Wake of Shooting

The Capital Gazette is looking for volunteer journalists to help publish the daily newspaper, according to an email sent by the Investigative Reporters and Editors organization.

In an email obtained by Newsweek, the nonprofit organization stated that the publication is looking for volunteer journalists to help publish the newspaper after the June 28 shooting, which killed five people, including assistant managing editor Rob Hiaasen, editorial page editor Gerald Fischman, features reporter Wendi Winters, reporter John McNamara and sales assistant Rebecca Smith.

"The Capital Gazette staff needs our help. In the wake of the June 28 shooting, they need journalists to volunteer their time and talents to help publish the daily paper," an email from the organization stated. "They are looking for reporters and editors who can commit two to five consecutive days in July, August and/or September. While all help is appreciated, volunteers will need to be on-site at The Baltimore Sun office."

Those who wish to volunteer for the Maryland newspaper will have to fill out a form by July 24, and The Baltimore Sun will directly contact volunteers on the list, according to the email.

There have been 182 mass shootings in the U.S. this year as of Tuesday, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The alleged shooter at the newspaper, Jarrod Ramos, had an ongoing dispute with The Capital Gazette over the reporting of his conviction for harassing a woman who was his former classmate. The Baltimore Sun reported that Ramos sent a document to the Capital's former lawyer. Ramos attempted to sue the publication for defamation over their reporting on his harassment case.

The day after the shooting, The Capital Gazette put out a newspaper after promising hours after the shooting they would be "putting out a damn paper," according to the newspaper's Twitter account. The front page headline read "5 shot dead at The Capital," with pictures of the victims. The newspaper also left out their opinion section, with the title "Today we are speechless."

"This page is intentionally left blank today to commemorate victims of Thursday's shootings at our office," the opinion page read. "Tomorrow this page will return to its steady purpose of offering our readers informed opinion about the world around them, that they might be better citizens."

The Investigative Reporters and Editors organization said that those who cannot volunteer can donate and contribute through a GoFundMe page to raise money for the victims of the shooting. The crowdfunding page has raised over $205,000. There is also a scholarship fund that will be given to selected students from the University of Maryland, College Park, who are pursuing a career in journalism.