FLOW BACK IN TIME: REMEMBERING THE CAPITAL GAZETTE FIVE

By Sharon Schultz

It’s been seven years since The Capital Gazette newspaper office in Annapolis became the scene of the largest mass shooting of newsroom staffers ever seen in this county. Seven years represents precious time to connect with friends, build families, enjoy successful careers. The Capital Gazette Five were robbed of seven years of precious time in just seconds.

Called Guardians of the First Amendment (and honored with an impressive memorial of the same name erected in Annapolis) then editor and columnist, Gerald Fischman, with columnist and assistant editor Rob Hiaasen, sports reporter John McNamara, sales assistant Rebecca Smith, and editor and community reporter, Wendi Winters, had no idea when they reported to work on that ordinary June day, that it would be for the last time.

On the afternoon of June 28, 2018, a strategic and well-planned mass murder took place in the Capital Gazette newsroom in Annapolis. A disgruntled person with an ax to grind, walked through the front door of 888 Bestgate Road and opened fire on the newspaper staff with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. Reporters, literally, ran for their lives only to discover they had nowhere to run. Their only exit had been barricaded by the gunman. When the rampage ended, five people lay dead with two others suffering from gunshot wounds. 

As the story unfolded, it was clear that the perpetrator of this horrendous tragedy was known to the newspaper’s publishers and many of the staff. The shooter had an almost decade-long vendetta about a 2011 article that appeared in the Capital Gazette regarding a sentence of probation received for harassment of a former classmate on social media. Seeing the story enraged the would-be murderer who, in 2012 filed a deformation suit against the newspaper challenging the freedom of the press in running the story. A judge dismissed the baseless lawsuit in 2015. Threatening letters and messages were received at the Capital promising an attack on the newsroom and the news staff, however, no legal action was taken at the time. 

The almost 40-year-old individual who took the lives of five innocents performing their daily work, was charged with five counts of first-degree murder, six counts of first-degree assault, and 11 counts of firearm use in commission of a felony. The convicted murderer, who shall remain nameless here, is currently serving five life terms plus an additional 345 years in prison. 

Gerald Fischman was 61 years old when the shooting started. He was the Capital’s editorial page editor and an experienced columnist. After finding love later in life with his soulmate, this quiet, gentle man was rumored to be as passionate about his writing, as well.

At age 59, Rob Hiaasen was an assistant editor who wrote a weekend column. Said to be witty and proud of his daughters, the family man had just celebrated his 33^rd wedding anniversary with his adoring wife.

John McNamara was the Capital’s sports reporter. The 56-year-old was also the editor and top reporter for the Bowie Blade News. Known for his old-school reporting style, John was thought to be curt and curmudgeonly but very much in love with the wife whose photo was a prominent fixture on his newsroom desk.

Just 34 years old, Rebecca Smith was newly hired as a sales assistant, her official title. She was excited to begin her new employment and looked forward to a long and lucrative career with the news media. 

A special publications editor and longtime community reporter, Wendi Winters, age 65, interacted with the locals and gave a voice to their stories. She was as committed to reporting the news as she was committed to raising four children. Wendi was known for being tireless. Her daughters continue to run a very successful blood drive in their mother’s name several times a year.

All five Capital staff members were going about their workday, like they did any other day, like we do. But on this afternoon, at just past 2:30 p.m., Gerald, Rob, John, Rebecca, and Wendi simply ceased to exist.

For Annapolitans, becoming the site of America’s largest mass shooting of newsroom employees couldn’t have been anticipated, yet the community continues to face this unspeakable loss with dignity, compassion and remembrance. An official road sign along a stretch of Rowe Boulevard announces the roadway is “Dedicated to The Capital Gazette Five.” A placard in a rose garden in Acton Cove Park near City Dock says, “In Memory of Our Cherished Colleagues,” and lists their names and the date that marked their end.

Newman Street Park, near Annapolis City Dock is the site of a stunning memorial remembering the CG5 and their sacrifice. The Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial features five individual concrete columns to represent each of the five victims. A circular wall displays the most impressive and striking tribute, a bronze replica of the front page of the June 29, 2018, issue of the Capital Gazette with the shocking headlines, “5 shot dead at The Capital,” forever etched in bronze, never to be forgotten.

Sharon Schultz is a retired freelance photojournalist and proud Bay Boomer.