ANNAPOLIS, Md. —Today marks a deeply solemn anniversary for the city of Annapolis, one etched into the heart of a community forever changed.
Seven years ago, on June 28, 2018, a disgruntled reader stormed the offices of The Capital Gazette and opened fire, killing five devoted staff members in what became the deadliest attack on journalists in U.S. history.
Rob Hiaasen, Wendi Winters, Rebecca Smith, John McNamara, and Gerald Fischman—each a beloved member of the newsroom and of Annapolis—lost their lives that day in an unthinkable act of violence. Their absence is still felt acutely by their families, colleagues, and a city that held them dear.
The shooting not only devastated a newsroom, it shook the very soul of Annapolis and the broader journalistic community. And yet, in a moment of extraordinary courage and defiance, the surviving staff returned to work almost immediately.
“Yes, we’re putting out a damn paper tomorrow,” read the tweet from The Capital Gazette just hours after the shooting—a declaration that became a symbol of resilience and the power of truth-telling in the face of terror.
The next day’s edition was published as promised. Its Opinion page was left “intentionally blank,” except for a few haunting words: “Today, we are speechless.”
In a city like Annapolis, a newspaper is more than a source of news—it’s the heartbeat of the community. The loss of these five individuals left a tear in that fabric, one that will never fully mend.
Rob. Wendi. Rebecca. John. Gerald. Their names are inscribed not just on plaques and memorials, but in the hearts of the people they informed, inspired, and stood beside.
Seven years on, Annapolis still mourns. And remembers.
