This story was certainly infuriating and discouraging. Infuriating because once again a mentally ill person was not only allowed to continuously harass others, but also allowed to buy a gun and ammunition to slaughter others. Discouraging because there seems to be little done to stop such insanity.

Tom Marquardt was the editor and publisher of the Capital Gazette newspapers in Annapolis, MD, until he retired in 2012. A year before that, his newspaper published a story about a man who was harassing a former classmate and convicted of stalking. (Heed this advice: If a former classmate you have no memory of contacts you on FB or wherever, ignore all requests for communication.) The woman he was stalking moved out of the state because she rightfully still felt unsafe even after the conviction. The courts failed her more than once.

The man, who shall be called the mass murderer in this review, sued the paper for defamation, lost the case, and then spent years plotting to get revenge. He obviously had little else to do. In 2018, he got his revenge, killing five newspaper employees and wounding two others. He planned it all in a way where he hoped not to die, so he could savor what harm he did, and so he could tell his story of victimization.

He gets to tell his self-pitying story to psychiatrists, and Tom Marquardt retells it in this book. The author uses a fake name for the mass murderer, so as not to say his name, but he still tells his story. What do we learn from his story? We learn the mass murderer is just another dime-a-dozen maladjusted male who hates women, blames everyone else for his unhappy life, and who used the internet to spew and fuel his hatred.

He is, of course, in prison for life, but fortunately is not allowed to use the internet. That must have been a big disappointment for him, too, since he had envisioned spending the rest of his incarcerated life playing chess online. Tom Marquardt feels guilty even though he’s not guilty of anything. He bought a gun to protect himself and his wife. Family members and friends of those killed still mourn, and lawsuits were filed to obtain financial compensation for the shooting. Memorial services were held, memorial plaques were created.

What have we learned from this shooting and since this shooting? Nothing, as far as I can tell. Things will probably get worse, too, when you have a sitting president who encourages revenge against the press and everyone else he hates. This is a man, too, who gets 24-hour protection paid for by taxpayers. Mental illness, hatred and revenge are becoming normalized. Last month, "Fortune" magazine reported: "Security guards have just made LinkedIn’s fastest-growing jobs lists for the first time.". Are we going to go back to the days of Dodge where the fastest gun in the West will win? It’s all so infuriating and discouraging.

read if you like:
📚 non-fiction
📍 Annapolis, MD
📰 the story behind the Capital Gazette murders in 2018

summary:
I decided to take a break with a quick non-fiction, and I’m so glad I did. PRESSED TO KILL tells the story of the 2018 Capital Gazette murders, what led to the fateful day, and what happened following it. It’s written by the former editor of the paper, who led the paper when a 38 year old began harassing a reporter over an article they had written about the man’s conviction of sexual harassment in 2011. Following the article, the man sued the paper, the editor and the reporter, and sent threats on Twitter towards the team. The stalking went on for several years, before a three year period where the shooter began plotting his crime. Then, on June 18, 2018, he stormed the newsroom, killing five and injuring several before he was arrested.

The book follows the lead up to the crime — everything the editor and paper did to stand up for their reporting, and fight back against the would-be-shooter’s various lawsuits. It is scary to read how many signs there were that something would happen, and how little law enforcement was able to do about it until an actual crime had been committed. It also provided insight into the process around independent reporting, and the risks some take to report unpopular news. It outlines the shooting itself in painful detail, which may be difficult for some people to read. Following it, it describes the trial and ultimate conviction of the shooter, and closes out with general reflection on gun control laws and protection in the United States. In this day and age, it is both a terrifying and necessary tale of what happens when threats aren’t taken seriously, and the desperate need for gun reform in this country.

Thanks to Apprentice House Press of Loyola University Maryland and NetGalley for the advanced copy. I recommend checking this book out when it releases on March 18.

“Pressed to Kill: Inside Newspapers’ Worst Mass Murder” by Tom Marquardt is a non-fiction book that recounts the tragic events of the 2018 shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
This book provides a detailed and harrowing account of the shooting, including the gunman’s motives, the victims, and the heroic actions of some survivors. Marquardt examines the impact of the tragedy on the Capital Gazette staff, the Annapolis community, and the broader journalism industry. The book delves into the history of escalating harassment and threats faced by the newspaper, highlighting the dangers journalists face in today’s climate.
The book discusses the dangers of online hate: It underscores the increasing prevalence of online harassment and threats against journalists and the need for greater protection for those who serve the public interest. It also emphasizes the vital role of a free press in a democracy and the courage of journalists who continue to report despite facing threats.
The resilience of the human spirit: Despite the horrific tragedy, the book also highlights the resilience of the Capital Gazette staff, the Annapolis community, and the journalism community in the face of adversity.
“Pressed to Kill” is an important book that offers a sobering look at the dangers faced by journalists. It is a must-read for anyone interested in journalism, freedom of the press, and the fight against gun violence. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book o preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.