NBC News's Tom Brokaw on Friday called for a "new crusade" on gun control following the Maryland newsroom shooting the previous day that left five people dead.

The longtime "Nightly News" anchor said Thursday's shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md., left him "physically ill," pointing to a personal connection to the tragedy.

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"The newsroom shooting, like all others this year makes me physically ill. Our dear friend Carl Hiaasen lost his brother," Brokaw tweeted.



the newsroom shooting, like all others this year

makes me physically ill. our dear friend carl hiaasen lost his brother.

it’s a shameful commentary. “got a problem? get a gun.”

guns aren’t going away but their homocidal use requires a new crusade. — Tom Brokaw (@tombrokaw) June 29, 2018 The suspect in Thursday's shooting, 38-year-old Jarrod Ramos, had previously sued The Capital for defamation in 2012 over a column about a criminal harassment charge against him. The case was later thrown out by a judge and Ramos lost his appeal. "It’s a shameful commentary. 'Got a problem? Get a gun,' " continued Brokaw, who currently serves as a special correspondent for NBC News. "Guns aren’t going away but their homicidal use requires a new crusade."The suspect in Thursday's shooting, 38-year-old Jarrod Ramos, had previously sued The Capital for defamation in 2012 over a column about a criminal harassment charge against him. The case was later thrown out by a judge and Ramos lost his appeal.

Ramos, who was taken into custody by police after the shooting, was charged with five counts of first-degree murder on Friday . Those killed include editor Rob Hiaasen, 59; community correspondent Wendi Winters, 65; editorial page editor Gerald Fischman, 61; sports writer John McNamara, 56; and sales assistant Rebecca Smith, 34.

The gun used in the mass shooting was a pump-action shotgun, according to police, who said it was purchased legally.

Brokaw stepped down as "Nightly News" anchor in 2004 after 22 years in the chair.