Jewish journalist Gerald Fischman is among five Capital Gazette staff killed in shooting

He was also described as having a “brilliant mind, wry wit and wicked pen”.

He graduated from the University of Maryland’s journalism school in 1979, and was regularly honoured with regional writing awards.

Mr Fischman, who worked on the paper since 1992, was known for his annual editorial on Christmas, despite the fact that he was Jewish.

The newsaper also said that he married late in life, to a Mongolian opera singer he had met online.

At an awards event shortly after he wed, he was asked him how he met his wife.

“I typed ‘Mongolian opera singer’ into a dating site,” he replied.

Brian Henley, a retired editor, said Mr Fischman had “an encyclopedia knowledge of everything from the philosophy to who knows what".

Local political figures also paid tribute to the journalist, with Annapolis house speaker saying: “He was extraordinarily knowledgeable about the political dynamics of the community.

"He was a bit of a loner, but was very, very intelligent. He was a respected writer and captured, for the most part, the feelings within the community.”

The other victims were editor Rob Hiassen, 59, reporter Wendi Winters, 65, sales assistant Rebecca Smith, 34, and John McNamara, 56, a reporter and editor.