The city of Annapolis, Maryland, struggles with grief after five were fatally shot at the local newspaper.

Annapolis community struggles with deaths of five at newspaper

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The historic state capital of Annapolis is draped in grief from a shooting attack on the local newspaper, which killed journalists who chronicled soccer games, art exhibits and the fabric of small-city life.

A sign outside The Annapolis Bookstore, a block from the Maryland State House, starkly expresses the depth of sorrow many are feeling in this quaint waterside capital of about 40,000 near the Chesapeake Bay. “There are no words,” it says.

With its weekly sailboat races and picturesque downtown, residents were settling into summer’s languid rhythms when the shooting shattered the usual tranquility. In a quiet town where the incoming class of the U.S. Naval Academy just arrived this week and residents take pride in a rich colonial legacy, the shooting at The Capital that claimed five lives opens a new chapter in its long history.

“It feels so personal,” said Mary Adams, who owns The Annapolis Bookstore and knew two of the victims. “It has shifted our community, and maybe it’s made us more attuned to the fact that we are all in this together.”

Memorial services for two of the five victims have been scheduled for next week.

The Baltimore Sun reported that a “celebration of life” for 59-yearold assistant managing editor Rob Hiaasen will be held Monday at the Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills.

The newspaper said a memorial service for special publications editor Wendi Winters will take place at noon July 7 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis.

The Rev. M. Dion Thompson, who worked as a journalist at The Baltimore Sun for 15 years, made the sadness a focus of his sermon at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis on Saturday evening. He also highlighted journalism as a force to comfort the afflicted, as he sought to comfort people saddened by the killings.

“Not that it’s awakened the community, but I think our community now joins so many others in feeling this intense harm that has been done to us,” Thompson said after the service.

Adams knew Winters. They met years ago at a Harry Potter night at another bookstore in town. She also knew Hiaasen.

The others killed in Thursday’s rampage were editorial page editor Gerald Fischman, reporter John McNamara and sales assistant Rebecca Smith.

“I’m just so sad that this happened to … the people and their families,” Adams said. “They’re all good people just trying to support a local newspaper, and now everyone is wondering how could this have happened.”

The Associated Press