Day of remembrance: Wednesday marks fifth anniversary of Capital Gazette shooting
BALTIMORE-- Five years have passed since Rebecca Smith, Wendi Winters, Rob Hiaasen, Gerald Fischman and John McNamara were killed during an attack on the Capital Gazette newspaper office in Annapolis.
This day, in 2018, a gunman forced his way into the newspaper's offices, opening fire and killing five staffers. It's the largest mass shooting of journalists in the nation's history.
The city of Annapolis will be hosting a five-year remembrance and wreath-laying ceremony Wednesday honoring the victims and survivors of gun violence.
"I do believe there have been 311 mass shootings in this country this year," said Maria Hiassen, Robert Hiassen's wife. "It's awfully hard to stay hopeful, but I'm begging you all to try."
The ceremony started at 9:30 at the Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial. It featured music and poetry, and remarks were provided on behalf of the family members, staff of the Capital Gazette and other victims of gun violence.
"Today's ceremony is being held in loving memory of Gerald Fischman, Robert Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith and Wendi Winters," said William Rowel, senior advisor to Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley.
The Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial was dedicated on this day two years ago. In September 2021, the shooter was sentenced to multiple life sentences.
"I can't imagine that pain, but all we can do is show some love from the city of Annapolis," Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said.
"Strength, love, patience and time do make things better," Maria Hiassen said.
Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement Wednesday that his heart is with the victims' families.
"These exceptional Marylanders committed themselves to elevating the truth and informing the public," Moore said. "They built careers strengthening one of the most important institutions in American life: a free press. It's an institution that our service members swear to protect when they deploy; it's an institution that is central to the ideas of our democracy; and it's an institution on which our nation's greatness depends."
Moore continued to emphasize the importance of ending gun violence and building safer communities.
In 2019, June 28 was named "Freedom of the Press Day" in Maryland in honor of the victims.
"I use them as something that helps when I am having a hard time," said Paul Gillespie, a Capital Gazette photojournalist. "I try to think they would want me to have the best life I can. They all loved us. We were like a big family in there."
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