On the somber occasion marking six years since the deadliest attack on journalists in U.S. history, Annapolis honored the lives of the Capital Gazette shooting victims with quiet reflection and remembrance. In this restrained observance, the day was dedicated to the memory of the five employees who tragically lost their lives: Rebecca Smith, Wendi Winters, Rob Hiaasen, Gerald Fischman, and John McNamara.
Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, addressed the significance of the day, "Today is June 28, 2024, the sixth year anniversary of the mass shooting incident at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis. On that day, we tragically lost five souls to senseless gun violence." according to Fox Baltimore. He also noted the need to balance privacy with community needs in honoring those lost, leading to a private wreath-laying at the Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial.
The memorial itself, introduced three years ago and highlighted in CBS News Baltimore's coverage, stands as a testament to the slain journalists, featuring five pillars and an inscription of the First Amendment. It serves as a poignant reminder of the freedom of the press and its essential role in a democratic republic.
Mayor Buckley's call for the community to visit the memorial and reflect on the value of First Amendment freedoms as well as to remember those impacted by gun violence represents a pursuit towards a deep-seated resolve within the Annapolis society—it’s a resolve to never forget and to continuously honor the legacies of those they have lost, moreover there are more efforts to honor the victims, the Annapolis City Mayor's Office is reportedly set to apply to the state for a highway sign in honor of Fischman, Hiaasen, McNamara, Smith and Winters, as reported by their parent company, the Baltimore Sun.
Since the attack on June 28, 2018, the Capital Gazette mass shooting remains a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the ongoing debate surrounding gun violence. While there's no bringing back those who were taken far too soon, the perpetual commemoration of the victims seeks to keep their memories alive and maintain the principles of journalism they represented.
